What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
machinal
Example
She answered the phone in a machinal manner, barely registering who was calling. [machinal: adjective]
Example
The factory workers performed their tasks with machinal precision, as if they were programmed robots. [machinal: adjective]
mechanical
Example
The mechanical engineer designed a new engine for the car. [mechanical: adjective]
Example
The assembly line was fully automated and operated by mechanical arms. [mechanical: adjective]
Example
He went through the motions of his job in a mechanical way, without any enthusiasm or creativity. [mechanical: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mechanical is more commonly used than machinal in everyday language. Mechanical is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while machinal is less common and more formal, typically used in academic or technical writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between machinal and mechanical?
Machinal is more formal than mechanical, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
