What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vase
Example
She received a beautiful vase of roses for her birthday. [vase: noun]
Example
He poured the wine into the crystal vase. [vase: noun]
Example
The desk was cluttered with papers and vases filled with pens and pencils. [vases: plural noun]
urn
Example
The family placed the urn containing their loved one's ashes on the mantle. [urn: noun]
Example
She brewed a fresh pot of coffee in the silver urn. [urn: noun]
Example
The chef poured the olive oil from the urn into the pan. [urn: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vase is more commonly used than urn in everyday language. Vase is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while urn is less common and is often associated with specific funerary or culinary practices.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vase and urn?
While vase is typically associated with a formal and elegant tone, urn is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts, depending on its usage.