What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hamster
Example
I bought a hamster for my daughter's birthday. [hamster: noun]
Example
The lab used hamsters to study the effects of the new drug. [hamsters: plural noun]
rat
Example
There was a rat in the kitchen last night. [rat: noun]
Example
Don't trust him, he's a rat. [rat: noun]
Example
He ratted out his friends to avoid going to jail. [ratted: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hamster is more commonly used than rat in everyday language, especially when referring to a pet. Rat is less common and may have negative connotations due to its association with dirtiness and disease.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hamster and rat?
Both hamster and rat are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts. However, rat may be used in slang to refer to a sneaky or untrustworthy person.
