What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
patented
Example
The company's new technology is patented and cannot be copied by competitors. [patented: adjective]
Example
The inventor filed for a patent to protect his invention from being stolen. [patent: noun]
proprietary
Example
The software company uses proprietary technology that is not available to the public. [proprietary: adjective]
Example
The recipe for the famous sauce is proprietary and only known by the restaurant owner. [proprietary: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Proprietary is more commonly used than patented in everyday language, especially in business contexts. Patented is more commonly used in legal contexts and when referring to specific inventions or products.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between patented and proprietary?
Both patented and proprietary are formal terms used in business and legal contexts. However, patented may be considered more formal due to its association with legal protection and government regulations.
