What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pedant
Example
The professor was such a pedant that he would spend hours correcting minor errors in his students' papers. [pedant: noun]
Example
She always had to be right and would often correct others, even when it wasn't necessary. She was such a pedantic person. [pedantic: adjective]
purist
Example
He refused to use any modern technology and insisted on only using traditional methods. He was a purist in his craft. [purist: noun]
Example
She was a purist when it came to cooking and would only use the original ingredients and methods. [purist: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pedant is more commonly used than purist in everyday language. Pedant is often used in academic or technical contexts, while purist is less common and can be used in a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pedant and purist?
Both pedant and purist are formal words, but pedant is more commonly used in academic or technical contexts, while purist can be used in a wider range of formal contexts.
