What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shins
Example
She kicked him in the shins when he tried to steal her purse. [shins: noun]
Example
He had bruises on his shins from playing soccer. [shins: noun]
tibia
Example
The doctor said she fractured her tibia and would need a cast. [tibia: noun]
Example
The tibia is an important bone for walking and running. [tibia: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shins is more commonly used in casual conversations, while tibia is more commonly used in medical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between shins and tibia?
Tibia is a more formal term compared to shins, which is a colloquial term used in everyday language.