What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mosaic
Example
The artist created a beautiful mosaic of a flower using small pieces of colored glass. [mosaic: noun]
Example
The team was a mosaic of people from different backgrounds and experiences. [mosaic: adjective]
patchwork
Example
She made a beautiful patchwork quilt using scraps of fabric from old clothes. [patchwork: noun]
Example
The report was a patchwork of information from various sources, with no clear structure or organization. [patchwork: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Patchwork is more commonly used than mosaic in everyday language. Patchwork is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while mosaic is less common and more specialized.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mosaic and patchwork?
While mosaic is typically associated with a formal and artistic tone, patchwork is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.