What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ossified
Example
The company's ossified management structure prevented it from adapting to new market trends. [ossified: adjective]
Example
The doctor diagnosed the patient with ossification of the spine. [ossification: noun]
petrified
Example
I was petrified when I saw the spider crawling towards me. [petrified: adjective]
Example
The museum displayed petrified wood from ancient forests. [petrified: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Petrified is more commonly used than ossified in everyday language, as it has a wider range of meanings and can be used in various contexts. Ossified is more commonly used in academic or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ossified and petrified?
Both ossified and petrified can be used in formal contexts, but ossified is more technical and may be less familiar to beginner ESL learners.
