What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
heritage
Example
The city is proud of its rich cultural heritage. [heritage: noun]
Example
She inherited her mother's artistic heritage. [heritage: noun]
Example
His heritage includes a mix of European and African ancestry. [heritage: noun]
tradition
Example
It's a tradition in our family to have a big feast on Thanksgiving. [tradition: noun]
Example
The wedding ceremony followed the local traditions. [traditions: noun]
Example
We always decorate the Christmas tree together as a tradition. [tradition: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tradition is more commonly used than heritage in everyday language. Tradition is a versatile term that can be applied to a wide range of cultural and social contexts, while heritage is less common and tends to be used in more formal or specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between heritage and tradition?
Both heritage and tradition can be used in formal and informal contexts, but heritage may be perceived as more formal due to its association with academic or institutional settings.
