What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lottery
Example
I won the lottery and now I can buy my dream house. [lottery: noun]
Example
The school organized a lottery to raise funds for the new library. [lottery: noun]
raffle
Example
I won the raffle and got a free trip to Hawaii. [raffle: noun]
Example
The charity organized a raffle to raise funds for the homeless shelter. [raffle: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lottery is more commonly used than raffle in everyday language. Lottery is a well-known game of chance that is often played for large sums of money. Raffle is less common and is often associated with small-scale events or fundraising activities.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lottery and raffle?
Both lottery and raffle can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, lottery may be more commonly used in formal contexts due to its association with government regulation and large sums of money.