What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
playoff
Example
The team made it to the playoffs after a successful regular season. [playoffs: noun]
Example
The playoff game was intense, with both teams giving their all to win. [playoff: adjective]
elimination
Example
The company announced the elimination of several jobs due to budget cuts. [elimination: noun]
Example
The contestant was nervous about the elimination round, knowing that only a few would advance. [elimination: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Playoff is more commonly used than elimination in sports contexts, especially in North America. However, elimination is more versatile and can be used in various contexts beyond sports.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between playoff and elimination?
Both playoff and elimination are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.