What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rale
Example
The doctor detected rales in the patient's lungs during the examination. [rale: noun]
Example
She had difficulty breathing due to the rales in her chest. [rale: plural noun]
crackle
Example
The fireplace crackled as we sat around it. [crackled: past tense verb]
Example
He heard a crackle in his knee when he stood up. [crackle: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Crackle is more commonly used than rale in everyday language. Crackle is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while rale is less common and primarily used in medical settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rale and crackle?
Rale is a more formal word that is typically used in medical or clinical contexts, while crackle can be used in both formal and informal settings.
