What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sickroom
Example
The nurse checked on the patient in the sickroom. [sickroom: noun]
Example
I set up a sickroom for my child when they were ill. [sickroom: noun]
infirmary
Example
The injured soldiers were taken to the infirmary for treatment. [infirmary: noun]
Example
The hospital has a separate infirmary for contagious patients. [infirmary: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Infirmary is less commonly used than sickroom in everyday language. Sickroom is a more versatile term that can be used in both domestic and medical settings, while infirmary is primarily used in institutional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sickroom and infirmary?
Infirmary is a more formal term than sickroom. It is typically used in professional or institutional settings, while sickroom is more casual and commonly used in domestic settings.