What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
palaeontologist
Example
The palaeontologist discovered a new species of dinosaur in the excavation site. [palaeontologist: noun]
Example
Palaeontologists use various techniques to analyze fossils and reconstruct the past. [palaeontologists: plural noun]
paleontologist
Example
The paleontologist found a well-preserved fossil of a prehistoric fish. [paleontologist: noun]
Example
Paleontologists use radiometric dating to determine the age of fossils. [paleontologists: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Paleontologist is more commonly used than palaeontologist in American English, while palaeontologist is more commonly used in British English.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between palaeontologist and paleontologist?
Palaeontologist may be considered more formal due to its British origin and less common usage, while paleontologist is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
