What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
symposium
Example
The symposium on climate change brought together scientists from around the world. [symposium: noun]
Example
The symposium will feature keynote speakers and panel discussions. [symposium: noun]
conference
Example
The annual conference on technology attracts thousands of attendees from all over the world. [conference: noun]
Example
I'm attending a conference on marketing strategies next week. [conference: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Conference is more commonly used than symposium in everyday language. Conference is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while symposium is less common and typically used in academic or research settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between symposium and conference?
Symposium is generally considered more formal than conference, as it is often associated with academic or research environments. However, both terms can be used in formal or informal contexts depending on the situation.