What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
paperclip
Example
Can you please pass me a paperclip? I need to attach these papers together. [paperclip: noun]
Example
She organized her notes with different colored paperclips. [paperclips: plural noun]
fastener
Example
The carpenter used a hammer and nails as fasteners to build the bookshelf. [fasteners: plural noun]
Example
She replaced the broken zipper fastener on her jacket. [fastener: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Paperclip is more commonly used than fastener in everyday language, especially in office and school settings. Fastener is a more technical term and may not be as familiar to non-native speakers.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between paperclip and fastener?
Fastener is a more formal term than paperclip, which is a casual and informal word. Fastener is often used in technical or professional contexts, while paperclip is more commonly used in everyday conversation.
