What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
kneecap
Example
He fell and hit his kneecap on the pavement. [kneecap: noun]
Example
The athlete suffered a kneecap injury during the game. [kneecap: adjective]
patella
Example
The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the human body. [patella: noun]
Example
The doctor recommended surgery to repair the patella. [patella: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Kneecap is more commonly used than patella in everyday language, as it is a more familiar and casual term.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between kneecap and patella?
Patella is more formal than kneecap, which is more commonly used in casual or informal contexts.
