What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
marquess
Example
The Marquess of Queensberry was a famous patron of boxing. [marquess: noun]
Example
He was made a marquess after his successful military career. [marquess: adjective]
lord
Example
The House of Lords is one of the two chambers of the British Parliament. [lord: noun]
Example
Lord Byron was a famous poet of the Romantic era. [lord: proper noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lord is a more common term than marquess in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications beyond the peerage system. Marquess is a more specialized term that is typically used in formal or historical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between marquess and lord?
Marquess is a more formal term than lord, as it is a specific title of nobility in the peerage system. Lord can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation and the speaker's intention.