What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
papyrus
Example
The ancient Egyptians used papyrus to write their hieroglyphics. [papyrus: noun]
Example
The museum has a collection of papyrus scrolls with ancient texts. [papyrus scrolls: noun]
scroll
Example
The Torah is traditionally written on a scroll. [scroll: noun]
Example
She unrolled the scroll to reveal a beautiful painting. [scroll: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Scroll is more commonly used than papyrus in everyday language. Scroll is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while papyrus is less common and refers specifically to the material made from the papyrus plant.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between papyrus and scroll?
While papyrus is typically associated with ancient Egyptian history and culture, scroll is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.