What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sufferer
Example
As an allergy sufferer, I have to be careful about what I eat. [sufferer: noun]
Example
The earthquake left many people as homeless sufferers. [sufferers: plural noun]
patient
Example
The doctor is seeing a patient in room 3. [patient: noun]
Example
You need to be patient when learning a new language. [patient: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Patient is more commonly used than sufferer in everyday language, especially in medical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between sufferer and patient?
Patient is more formal than sufferer, which has a more casual tone.
