What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
multinational
Example
The multinational corporation has offices in over 50 countries. [multinational: adjective]
Example
She works for a multinational company that specializes in technology. [multinational: noun]
transnational
Example
The transnational corporation has operations in various continents. [transnational: adjective]
Example
The NGO is a transnational organization that focuses on human rights. [transnational: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Multinational is more commonly used than transnational in everyday language. Multinational is often used to describe large corporations that have a global presence, while transnational is a less common term that may be used to describe a broader range of entities.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between multinational and transnational?
Both multinational and transnational can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, multinational is more commonly used and may be considered more formal due to its association with large corporations.