What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
martial
Example
He has a black belt in martial arts. [martial: adjective]
Example
The martial music played as the soldiers marched. [martial: adjective]
military
Example
He served in the military for ten years. [military: noun]
Example
The military operation was successful in securing the border. [military: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Military is more commonly used than martial in everyday language, especially in formal contexts. Martial is less common and is mostly used in informal contexts or specialized fields, such as sports or entertainment.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between martial and military?
Military is generally considered more formal than martial, as it is often used in official documents or news reports. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context and audience.
