What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hospital
Example
The hospital staff worked tirelessly to save the patient's life. [hospital: noun]
Example
She was hospitalized for a week after her surgery. [hospitalized: verb]
infirmary
Example
The school infirmary treated the student's minor injury. [infirmary: noun]
Example
The elderly woman received care from a home health infirmary. [infirmary: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hospital is more commonly used than infirmary in everyday language. Hospital is a well-known term that is used frequently in medical contexts, while infirmary is less common and may be unfamiliar to some people.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hospital and infirmary?
Hospital is generally considered a more formal term than infirmary. While hospital is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, infirmary is more commonly used in informal or specialized settings.
