What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lav
Example
The lav on the plane was surprisingly clean. [lav: noun]
Example
Please use the lav down the hall before the meeting. [lav: noun]
bathroom
Example
I need to use the bathroom before we leave. [bathroom: noun]
Example
The hotel room had a spacious bathroom with a large bathtub. [bathroom: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bathroom is more commonly used than lav in everyday language. Bathroom is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while lav is less common and more specific to certain settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lav and bathroom?
Lav is more formal and associated with professional or military settings, while bathroom is more casual and associated with personal or domestic settings.