What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
populate
Example
The city is populated by over a million people. [populate: verb]
Example
The forest is populated by a variety of wildlife. [populated: adjective]
reside
Example
I reside in a small town in the countryside. [reside: verb]
Example
The royal family resides in Buckingham Palace. [resides: verb]
Example
He has been granted permanent residency in the United States. [residency: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reside is more commonly used than populate in everyday language, especially in legal or official contexts. Populate is less common and is typically used in scientific or technical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between populate and reside?
Reside is more formal than populate and is often used in legal or official contexts. Populate is neutral in connotation and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.