What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
roach
Example
I saw a roach crawling on the kitchen counter. [roach: noun]
Example
The exterminator sprayed the apartment to get rid of the roaches. [roaches: plural noun]
beetle
Example
The children caught beetles in the backyard and put them in a jar. [beetles: plural noun]
Example
The beetle crawled across the leaf and flew away. [beetle: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Beetle is a more common word than roach and is used in a wider range of contexts. Roach is more specific and is typically used in the context of pest control or household infestations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between roach and beetle?
Neither roach nor beetle is particularly formal or informal, and both can be used in a variety of settings without sounding out of place.
