What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
orifice
Example
The doctor examined the patient's ear orifice. [orifice: noun]
Example
The air conditioning unit had an orifice that needed cleaning. [orifice: noun]
Example
The volcanic eruption created a new orifice in the mountain. [orifice: noun]
hole
Example
The carpenter drilled a hole in the wood. [hole: noun]
Example
The roof had a hole that needed patching. [hole: noun]
Example
The tennis ball had a hole in it. [hole: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hole is more commonly used than orifice in everyday language. Hole is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while orifice is less common and has a more specialized use in technical or medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between orifice and hole?
Orifice is often associated with a more formal or technical tone, while hole can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
