What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pioneer
Example
Daniel Boone was a pioneer who explored and settled in Kentucky. [pioneer: noun]
Example
The company is pioneering a new technology that will revolutionize the industry. [pioneering: present participle]
settler
Example
The settlers traveled westward to start a new life on the frontier. [settlers: plural noun]
Example
My great-grandfather was a settler who established a farm in the Midwest. [settler: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Settler is more commonly used than pioneer in everyday language. Settler is a more general term that covers a wider range of contexts, while pioneer is more specific and often used in historical or adventurous contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pioneer and settler?
Both pioneer and settler are versatile words that can be used in various formality levels, allowing them to be used in both formal and informal contexts.