What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
origin
Example
The origin of the universe is still a mystery. [origin: noun]
Example
The word 'robot' has its origin in Czech. [origin: noun]
Example
The company's policy has its origin in a desire to reduce waste. [origin: noun]
source
Example
The river is the source of the town's water supply. [source: noun]
Example
The source of the problem was a faulty wire. [source: noun]
Example
I always check multiple sources before writing an article. [source: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Source is more commonly used than origin in everyday language. Source is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while origin is less common and is often used in scientific or historical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between origin and source?
Both origin and source can be used in formal and informal contexts, but origin is more commonly used in scientific or historical contexts, which may give it a slightly more formal connotation.
