What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ossify
Example
The broken bone will eventually ossify and heal. [ossify: verb]
Example
The company's policies have become ossified over time, making it difficult to adapt to changing circumstances. [ossified: adjective]
calcify
Example
The X-ray showed calcification in the patient's arteries. [calcification: noun]
Example
The tumor had calcified, making it difficult to remove surgically. [calcified: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Calcify is more commonly used than ossify in everyday language, especially in medical contexts. Ossify is less common and tends to be used in more specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ossify and calcify?
Both ossify and calcify are formal words, but calcify is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while ossify is more limited in its usage and tends to be used in technical or scientific writing.
