What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hometown
Example
I love going back to my hometown to visit my family. [hometown: noun]
Example
She always talks about her hometown with fondness and nostalgia. [hometown: noun]
birthplace
Example
My birthplace is a small town in the countryside. [birthplace: noun]
Example
He has never been back to his birthplace since he left as a baby. [birthplace: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hometown is more commonly used than birthplace in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and is more versatile. Birthplace is less frequently used and is more formal in tone.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hometown and birthplace?
Birthplace is more formal than hometown and is typically used in more professional or academic contexts, such as on official documents or in biographical information.