What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wall
Example
The wall between the two houses was built to reduce noise. [wall: noun]
Example
She painted the walls of her room a bright yellow. [walls: plural noun]
barrier
Example
The language barrier made it difficult for them to communicate. [barrier: noun]
Example
The barrier reef protects the coast from strong waves. [barrier: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wall is more commonly used than barrier in everyday language. Wall is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while barrier is less common and often used in specific situations such as language barriers or trade barriers.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wall and barrier?
Both wall and barrier can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, wall is more versatile and can be used in various formality levels, while barrier is often associated with technical or specialized language and may be more formal.
