What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
statuary
Example
The museum has an impressive collection of statuary from different periods. [statuary: noun]
Example
She studied statuary in college and became a skilled sculptor. [statuary: adjective]
figurine
Example
She collects figurines of different animals and displays them on her shelves. [figurines: noun]
Example
The toy store sells figurines of popular cartoon characters for kids to play with. [figurines: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Figurine is more commonly used than statuary in everyday language. Figurine is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while statuary is less common and more specific to the field of sculpture or art history.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between statuary and figurine?
Both statuary and figurine can be used in formal or informal contexts, depending on the context and tone of the conversation or writing. However, statuary may be more associated with formal or academic language due to its specialized nature.
