What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
legume
Example
Legumes are an important source of plant-based protein. [legumes: noun]
Example
The farmer rotated his crops with legumes to improve the soil quality. [legumes: noun]
pea
Example
I love adding peas to my stir-fry for some extra color and nutrition. [peas: noun]
Example
She planted a row of peas in her garden this year. [peas: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pea is more commonly used than legume in everyday language, especially when referring to the small green vegetable. However, legume is more commonly used in scientific or agricultural contexts to refer to the entire family of plants.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between legume and pea?
Legume is generally considered more formal than pea, which is more commonly used in casual conversation and everyday language.