What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
plague
Example
The bubonic plague killed millions of people in Europe during the Middle Ages. [plague: noun]
Example
The country was hit by a plague of locusts, destroying crops and causing famine. [plague: noun]
Example
The city has been plagued by crime for years, making it unsafe for residents. [plagued: verb]
epidemic
Example
The flu epidemic of 1918 killed millions of people worldwide. [epidemic: noun]
Example
There has been an epidemic of obesity in the United States in recent years. [epidemic: noun]
Example
The country is facing an epidemic of drug addiction, with many people struggling to overcome their dependence. [epidemic: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Epidemic is more commonly used than plague in everyday language. Epidemic is a broader term that can refer to a wide range of contagious diseases, while plague is a more specific and less common term that refers to a particular disease caused by a specific bacterium.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between plague and epidemic?
Both plague and epidemic can be used in formal and informal contexts, but plague may be more associated with historical or literary contexts due to its association with the bubonic plague in the Middle Ages.
