What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mice
Example
I saw a mouse run across the kitchen floor. [mouse: noun]
Example
Mice can cause significant damage to furniture and electrical wiring. [mice: plural noun]
rodent
Example
Rabbits, rats, and mice are all rodents. [rodents: plural noun]
Example
Rodents can cause significant damage to crops and property. [rodents: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rodent is a more commonly used term than mice in scientific and technical contexts. However, mice is more commonly used in everyday language, particularly when referring to the common household pest.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mice and rodent?
Rodent is a more formal term than mice, which is more commonly used in informal contexts.