What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mercury
Example
Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that can be harmful to human health. [mercury: noun]
Example
Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system. [Mercury: proper noun]
Example
The old-fashioned thermometer contained mercury, which would rise or fall depending on the temperature. [mercury: noun]
quicksilver
Example
The alchemists believed that quicksilver had magical properties and could transform base metals into gold. [quicksilver: noun]
Example
The stock market can be like quicksilver, changing rapidly and unexpectedly. [quicksilver: adjective]
Example
She's a quicksilver thinker, always coming up with clever solutions to problems. [quicksilver: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mercury is much more commonly used than quicksilver in everyday language, particularly in scientific and technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mercury and quicksilver?
Mercury is more formal and scientific, while quicksilver is more informal and poetic, making it suitable for creative writing or artistic expression.
