What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
river
Example
The Nile River is the longest river in the world. [river: noun]
Example
We went kayaking on the river last weekend. [river: noun]
stream
Example
The children played in the stream, catching fish and skipping stones. [stream: noun]
Example
The rainwater flowed down the street and into the stream. [stream: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
River is more commonly used than stream in everyday language. Rivers are more well-known and have a greater impact on human activities, while streams are often associated with smaller bodies of water that are less significant.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between river and stream?
Both river and stream can be used in various formality levels, but river may be slightly more formal due to its larger size and greater significance in human activities.
