What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
major
Example
I'm majoring in biology at university. [majoring: verb]
Example
The company suffered a major loss due to the pandemic. [major: adjective]
Example
He was promoted to the rank of major after serving for ten years. [major: noun]
significant
Example
The discovery of a new species is a significant event in the field of biology. [significant: adjective]
Example
The study found a significant correlation between smoking and lung cancer. [significant: adjective]
Example
She made a significant contribution to the success of the project. [significant: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Significant is more commonly used than major in everyday language. Significant is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while major is less common and often associated with specific fields or contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between major and significant?
Both major and significant can be used in formal or informal contexts. However, major may be more commonly used in formal contexts such as academic or military settings, while significant can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
