What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
reaver
Example
The barbarian horde was known for their reaving and pillaging of nearby villages. [reaving: gerund or present participle]
Example
The reaver attacked the merchant ship, stealing all of its valuable cargo. [reaver: noun]
pirate
Example
The pirates boarded the ship, taking the crew and passengers hostage. [pirates: noun]
Example
Downloading copyrighted material without permission is considered piracy. [piracy: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pirate is a more commonly used word than reaver in everyday language, as it has a wider range of contexts and is more well-known due to its portrayal in popular media.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between reaver and pirate?
Both reaver and pirate are informal words that are not typically used in formal contexts. However, pirate may be used in more formal contexts when referring to the crime of piracy under international law.
