What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
snail
Example
The snail crawled slowly across the sidewalk. [snail: noun]
Example
She moved at a snail's pace, taking forever to finish her work. [snail's pace: idiom]
escargot
Example
I tried escargot for the first time at a fancy French restaurant. [escargot: noun]
Example
The chef prepared the escargot with garlic and butter. [escargot: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Snail is more commonly used than escargot in everyday language. Snail is a common word that can be used in various contexts, while escargot is a specific term used only in the context of food.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between snail and escargot?
Escargot is a more formal word than snail. It is often used in formal settings, such as fine dining restaurants, while snail is more casual and can be used in everyday conversation.