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 maintain the results of her braces. [retainer: noun]
Example
The company hired a retainer to provide ongoing marketing services. [retainer: noun]
fee
Example
The museum charges a small fee for admission. [fee: noun]
Example
There is a fee for registering for the conference. [fee: noun]
Example
The doctor's fee was quite high, but worth it for the quality of care. [fee: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fee is more commonly used than retainer in everyday language. Fee is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while retainer is less common and is usually associated with legal and consulting fields.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between retainer and fee?
Both retainer and fee can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, retainer is more commonly used in professional and legal settings, while fee is more versatile and can be used in various formality levels.
