What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mastodon
Example
The museum has a skeleton of a mastodon on display. [mastodon: noun]
Example
The mastodon roamed the earth millions of years ago. [mastodon: noun]
Example
His ideas are as old as a mastodon. [mastodon: simile]
mammoth
Example
The mammoth was one of the largest land animals ever to exist. [mammoth: noun]
Example
The project required mammoth effort from everyone involved. [mammoth: adjective]
Example
The company's profits were mammoth compared to the previous year. [mammoth: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mammoth is more commonly used than mastodon in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mastodon and mammoth?
Both mastodon and mammoth are formal words, but mammoth is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
