What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pirate
Example
The pirates boarded the ship and stole all the valuable cargo. [pirates: noun]
Example
He was accused of pirating the latest movie and distributing it online. [pirating: verb]
privateer
Example
The privateer captured several enemy ships and brought back valuable goods for the government. [privateer: noun]
Example
During the war, the government issued letters of marque to privateers to attack enemy ships. [privateers: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pirate is a more commonly used term than privateer in everyday language, as piracy has been a more prevalent issue throughout history. However, privateer is still used in certain contexts, such as historical accounts and literature.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between pirate and privateer?
Privateer is generally considered a more formal term than pirate, as it is associated with legal and official actions. Pirate, on the other hand, is often used in informal and colloquial contexts.
