What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
senator
Example
The senator from California proposed a new bill to address climate change. [senator: noun]
Example
She was elected as a senator for her state in the last election. [senator: noun]
congressman
Example
The congressman from Texas introduced a new bill to reform healthcare. [congressman: noun]
Example
He was elected as a congressman for his district in the last election. [congressman: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Congressman is more commonly used than senator in everyday language, likely due to the fact that there are more congressmen than senators and that congressmen are elected more frequently.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between senator and congressman?
Both senator and congressman are formal terms used to refer to elected officials in the U.S. Congress. However, senator may be considered slightly more formal due to its association with the upper house of the legislative body.