What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mouse
Example
The mouse scurried across the floor and disappeared behind the bookshelf. [mouse: noun]
Example
Use the mouse to click on the icon and open the program. [mouse: noun]
Example
She's such a mouse, always avoiding confrontation and staying in the background. [mouse: adjective]
vole
Example
The vole dug a tunnel through the soft soil and disappeared underground. [vole: noun]
Example
The meadow was home to many voles, scurrying among the tall grasses. [vole: noun]
Example
He was just a vole in the grand scheme of things, easily overlooked and forgotten. [vole: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mouse is a more common word than vole and is used in everyday language to refer to both the animal and the computer device. Vole is less common and may be unfamiliar to some people.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mouse and vole?
Both mouse and vole are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
