What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ridge
Example
The hikers followed the ridge of the mountain to reach the summit. [ridge: noun]
Example
The roof has a ridge that runs along its length. [ridge: noun]
Example
The carpenter used a router to create a ridge in the wood. [ridge: noun]
crest
Example
The climbers finally reached the crest of the mountain after a long hike. [crest: noun]
Example
The surfer rode the crest of the wave all the way to shore. [crest: noun]
Example
The family crest was displayed prominently on the shield. [crest: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ridge is more commonly used than crest in everyday language. Ridge is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while crest is less common and has more specific uses.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ridge and crest?
Both ridge and crest can be used in formal and informal contexts, but crest may be more commonly used in formal contexts due to its association with achievement and success.