What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pedant
Example
The professor was a pedant, always correcting minor errors in his students' work. [pedant: noun]
Example
She can be quite pedantic when it comes to grammar and punctuation. [pedantic: adjective]
bookworm
Example
He's such a bookworm that he spends all his free time at the library. [bookworm: noun]
Example
She's a real bookworm, always recommending new titles for me to read. [bookworm: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bookworm is more commonly used than pedant in everyday language. Bookworm is a more positive term that is often used affectionately, while pedant is more likely to be used in a negative or critical way.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pedant and bookworm?
Both pedant and bookworm are relatively formal words that are more likely to be used in academic or intellectual contexts. However, pedant may be seen as more formal or pretentious than bookworm.
