What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sortilege
Example
The ancient Greeks used sortilege to make important decisions. [sortilege: noun]
Example
She practiced sortilege by throwing bones and interpreting their positions. [sortilege: verb]
augury
Example
The Romans believed in augury and often consulted with priests to interpret bird flights. [augury: noun]
Example
He augured that the upcoming harvest would be bountiful based on the behavior of the animals. [augured: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Augury is less commonly used than sortilege in everyday language. Sortilege is more versatile and covers a wider range of contexts, while augury is more specific and associated with ancient Roman culture.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sortilege and augury?
Both sortilege and augury are associated with mystical and magical practices, making them more commonly used in informal or spiritual contexts. However, sortilege may be seen as slightly more formal due to its association with ancient Greek culture.
