What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mite
Example
The mite infestation caused severe itching and redness. [mite: noun]
Example
He only had a mite of food left in his backpack. [mite: noun]
Example
The garden was full of mites that were eating the leaves. [mites: plural noun]
tick
Example
I found a tick on my dog's fur after our hike. [tick: noun]
Example
Please tick the boxes that apply to you on this form. [tick: verb]
Example
The clock made a loud tick every second. [tick: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tick is more commonly used than mite in everyday language. Tick has multiple meanings and can be used in various contexts, while mite is less common and mainly used to describe a small arachnid or a small amount of something.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mite and tick?
Both mite and tick are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
