What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prey
Example
The lioness stalked her prey before pouncing on it. [prey: noun]
Example
The scammer preyed on elderly people who were living alone. [preyed: past tense verb]
quarry
Example
The hunters set out early in the morning to find their quarry. [quarry: noun]
Example
The police chased the suspect through the quarry. [quarry: location]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prey is more commonly used than quarry in everyday language, especially when referring to animals being hunted. Quarry is less common and is typically used in specific contexts such as hunting or construction.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between prey and quarry?
Both prey and quarry are relatively informal words, but quarry may be slightly more formal due to its association with hunting and construction industries.
