What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
retainer
Example
The lawyer required a retainer before taking on the case. [retainer: noun]
Example
She wore her retainer every night to keep her teeth straight. [retainer: noun]
Example
The company hired a marketing consultant on a retainer basis. [retainer: adjective]
deposit
Example
I had to put down a deposit to rent the apartment. [deposit: noun]
Example
She deposited her paycheck into her savings account. [deposited: past tense verb]
Example
The river deposit created a fertile soil for farming. [deposit: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deposit is more commonly used than retainer in everyday language. Deposit is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while retainer is less common and primarily used in the context of professional services.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between retainer and deposit?
Both retainer and deposit can be used in formal and informal contexts, but retainer is more commonly associated with a formal tone due to its use in the context of professional services.
