What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
relic
Example
The museum had a collection of ancient relics from the Roman Empire. [relic: noun]
Example
The church displayed a relic of Saint Francis, which was believed to have healing powers. [relic: noun]
remnant
Example
The remnant of the cake was too small to share. [remnant: noun]
Example
The remnant of the fabric was used to make a patchwork quilt. [remnant: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Remnant is more commonly used than relic in everyday language. Remnant is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while relic is less common and typically used in formal or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between relic and remnant?
Relic is more formal and academic in tone, while remnant is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.