What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
insignificant
Example
The difference in price was insignificant. [insignificant: adjective]
Example
He made an insignificant contribution to the project. [insignificant: adjective]
meaningless
Example
The speech was full of meaningless platitudes. [meaningless: adjective]
Example
The argument was pointless and meaningless. [meaningless: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Meaningless is more commonly used than insignificant in everyday language. Meaningless is a more versatile word that can be used in a wider range of contexts, while insignificant is more often used in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between insignificant and meaningless?
Both insignificant and meaningless are relatively formal words that are appropriate for use in academic or professional writing. However, insignificant may be more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts, while meaningless is more commonly used in everyday language.
