What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
retell
Example
Can you retell the story of Cinderella? [retell: verb]
Example
She retold the events of the party to her friend who missed it. [retold: past tense]
reiterate
Example
I want to reiterate that the deadline is tomorrow. [reiterate: verb]
Example
The teacher reiterated the importance of studying for the exam. [reiterated: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Retell is more commonly used in everyday language, especially in storytelling contexts. Reiterate is more commonly used in professional or academic settings where emphasis and clarity are important.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between retell and reiterate?
Reiterate is more formal than retell and is often used in professional or academic settings. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context.