What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ivory
Example
The piano keys were made of ivory. [ivory: noun]
Example
She wore a beautiful ivory necklace to the party. [ivory: adjective]
tusk
Example
The elephant's tusks were enormous. [tusks: noun]
Example
He carved a beautiful sculpture out of a walrus tusk. [tusk: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ivory is more commonly used in everyday language than tusk. Ivory has a wider range of applications and is often used to describe a color or material, while tusk is more specific to the actual structure of an animal's tooth.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between ivory and tusk?
Ivory is often associated with luxury and elegance, making it a more formal term. Tusk, on the other hand, is more neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.