What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
saliva
Example
The dentist asked me to produce some saliva for the test. [saliva: noun]
Example
Saliva contains enzymes that help to break down food. [saliva: noun]
spit
Example
He spat out the watermelon seed onto the ground. [spat: past tense]
Example
It's impolite to spit in public places. [spit: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spit is more commonly used than saliva in everyday language, especially in informal contexts. Saliva is more commonly used in scientific or medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between saliva and spit?
Saliva is more formal than spit. It is typically used in scientific or medical contexts, while spit is more informal and can be used in a variety of contexts, including slang and colloquial language.
