What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
suckle
Example
The newborn calf suckled on its mother's milk. [suckled: past tense]
Example
She suckled her baby until he was six months old. [suckled: verb]
nurse
Example
The mother nursed her baby throughout the night. [nursed: past tense]
Example
The nurse checked the patient's vital signs and administered medication. [nurse: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nurse is more commonly used than suckle in everyday language, especially in the context of human care. Suckle is less common and is typically associated with informal or technical language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between suckle and nurse?
While nurse is a versatile word that can be used in both formal and informal contexts, suckle is more limited in its usage and is typically associated with informal or technical language.