What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pawns
Example
The pawns are the first line of defense in a game of chess. [pawns: noun]
Example
He used his employees as pawns to further his own career. [pawns: noun]
Example
She felt like a pawn in her boss's game of office politics. [pawn: adjective]
chessman
Example
The chessman moved his knight to protect his king. [chessman: noun]
Example
She was a talented chessman who had won many tournaments. [chessman: noun]
Example
He was a chessman in the business world, always thinking several steps ahead. [chessman: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pawns is a more commonly used term in the game of chess, while chessmen is less common and may be used in a more metaphorical sense.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pawns and chessman?
Both pawns and chessmen are relatively formal terms, used primarily in the context of the game of chess or in metaphorical contexts related to strategy and decision-making.
