What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
paean
Example
The crowd sang a paean of victory after their team won the championship. [paean: noun]
Example
The article was a paean to the author's favorite musician. [paean: adjective]
anthem
Example
The national anthem played before the start of the game. [anthem: noun]
Example
The choir sang a beautiful anthem at the church service. [anthem: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Anthem is more commonly used than paean in everyday language. Anthem is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while paean is less common and refers to a more specific type of song or tribute.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between paean and anthem?
While paean is typically associated with a more poetic or literary tone, anthem is more commonly associated with a formal or ceremonial tone, making it suitable for use in more formal contexts.
