What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
noncommissioned
Example
The noncommissioned officer led the platoon into battle. [noncommissioned: adjective]
Example
He served as a noncommissioned officer for several years before being promoted. [noncommissioned: adjective]
noncom
Example
The noncom gave orders to the troops. [noncom: noun]
Example
He was promoted to noncom after serving as a private for two years. [noncom: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Noncom is more commonly used than noncommissioned in everyday language, especially in informal speech and conversation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between noncommissioned and noncom?
Noncommissioned is more formal than noncom and is used more often in official documents and formal writing. However, both words are generally informal and used primarily in military contexts.
