What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
niter
Example
The black powder was made by mixing sulfur, charcoal, and niter. [niter: noun]
Example
The cave walls were covered in sparkling niter crystals. [niter: noun]
Example
Niter is often used as a preservative in the food industry. [niter: noun]
saltpeter
Example
Saltpeter is an important ingredient in the manufacture of gunpowder. [saltpeter: noun]
Example
The meat was cured with a mixture of salt and saltpeter. [saltpeter: noun]
Example
The cave explorers found a large deposit of saltpeter in the underground cavern. [saltpeter: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Saltpeter is more commonly used and recognized than niter in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between niter and saltpeter?
Both niter and saltpeter are formal terms that are typically used in technical or scientific contexts.
