What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
terms
Example
The terms used in legal documents can be difficult to understand. [terms: noun]
Example
I'm not familiar with the medical terms they used during the appointment. [terms: noun]
jargon
Example
The IT department uses a lot of jargon that I don't understand. [jargon: noun]
Example
The scientist's presentation was full of jargon that only other scientists could understand. [jargon: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Terms are more commonly used than jargon in everyday language. Terms are versatile and cover a wide range of contexts, while jargon is less common and refers to technical or specialized language used in a particular field.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between terms and jargon?
While terms can be used in both formal and informal contexts, jargon is typically associated with a more formal or technical tone and is used primarily in professional or academic settings.
