What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mac
Example
I always carry my mac with me when I travel to places with unpredictable weather. [mac: noun]
Example
She wore a yellow mac to the concert to protect herself from the rain. [mac: adjective]
raincoat
Example
He put on his raincoat and headed out into the storm. [raincoat: noun]
Example
The children wore their bright yellow raincoats to school on a rainy day. [raincoats: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Raincoat is more commonly used than mac in American English, while mac is more commonly used in British English. Both words are less common in everyday language and are more likely to be used in specific contexts like weather reports or fashion magazines.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between mac and raincoat?
Neither mac nor raincoat is particularly formal or informal, and both can be used in a variety of settings without sounding out of place. However, raincoat may be slightly more formal due to its association with American English.