What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
phial
Example
The pharmacist handed me a phial of cough syrup. [phial: noun]
Example
She carefully poured the liquid into the phial using a dropper. [phial: noun]
vial
Example
The doctor handed me a vial of blood for testing. [vial: noun]
Example
She carefully labeled the vial with the patient's name and date. [vial: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vial is more commonly used than phial in everyday language, especially in American English. However, both words are still used and understood by English speakers.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between phial and vial?
Both phial and vial can be used in formal or scientific contexts, but phial may sound more old-fashioned or formal, while vial may sound more modern or scientific.
