What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
porcelain
Example
The museum had a beautiful collection of porcelain vases from the Ming dynasty. [porcelain: noun]
Example
She served tea in her grandmother's antique porcelain teapot. [porcelain: adjective]
pottery
Example
The potter crafted a beautiful set of pottery bowls using a traditional technique. [pottery: noun]
Example
She bought a lovely pottery vase at the local craft fair. [pottery: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pottery is more commonly used than porcelain in everyday language, as it refers to a wider range of ceramic products and is more accessible to the general public. Porcelain is often associated with luxury and high-end products, and its use is more limited to specific contexts, such as fine dining or art collections.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between porcelain and pottery?
Porcelain is generally considered more formal and elegant than pottery, due to its association with high-quality and expensive products. Pottery can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the design and purpose of the object.
