What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pesthole
Example
I wouldn't want to live in that pesthole even if it's cheap. [pesthole: noun]
Example
The apartment was a pesthole, with roaches crawling everywhere. [pesthole: adjective]
tenement
Example
My grandparents used to live in a tenement in the city when they first arrived. [tenement: noun]
Example
The tenement building was old and rundown, but it was all they could afford. [tenement: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tenement is a more common term than pesthole and is often used in real estate and housing contexts. Pesthole is a less common and more informal term that may be used in more negative or critical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pesthole and tenement?
Tenement is a more formal term that can be used in various contexts, including legal and academic. Pesthole is a more informal and colloquial term that is best used in casual conversation or informal writing.
