What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
suckling
Example
The suckling pig was roasted to perfection. [suckling: adjective]
Example
The mother was suckling her newborn baby. [suckling: verb]
nursing
Example
The mother was nursing her baby in the hospital. [nursing: verb]
Example
She decided to pursue a career in nursing after volunteering at a hospital. [nursing: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nursing is more commonly used than suckling in everyday language, especially in formal contexts. Suckling is less common and may have a negative connotation when used to describe humans.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between suckling and nursing?
Nursing is more formal than suckling and is commonly used in medical or professional settings. Suckling is more informal and is typically used in casual or non-professional contexts.