What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
louse
Example
My head is itchy, I think I have lice. [lice: plural noun]
Example
He's such a louse for cheating on his girlfriend. [louse: noun]
Example
I found a louse crawling on my shirt. [louse: singular noun]
vermin
Example
The farmer had to deal with vermin infesting his crops. [vermin: plural noun]
Example
We need to get rid of the vermin in our house before they cause more damage. [vermin: plural noun]
Example
Rats and cockroaches are examples of vermin. [vermin: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vermin is more commonly used than louse in everyday language. Vermin is a more versatile term that can be used to describe a wide range of small animals and insects, while louse is a more specific term that is primarily used to describe a type of insect that lives on mammals.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between louse and vermin?
Both louse and vermin are generally considered informal terms. However, vermin may be used in more formal contexts, such as scientific or technical writing, to describe harmful or destructive small animals or insects.
