What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
montage
Example
The film's opening montage showed the protagonist's childhood memories. [montage: noun]
Example
The editor used a montage to show the passage of time. [montage: verb]
medley
Example
The restaurant offered a medley of appetizers for the guests to try. [medley: noun]
Example
The band played a medley of popular songs from the 80s. [medley: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Medley is more commonly used than montage in everyday language. Medley is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while montage is less common and is typically used in creative fields such as film, video, or photography.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between montage and medley?
Both montage and medley are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.