What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
christening
Example
The christening of the newborn took place at the local church. [christening: noun]
Example
The parents decided to christen their baby according to their religious beliefs. [christen: verb]
initiation
Example
The initiation ceremony for the new members of the club was held last night. [initiation: noun]
Example
She was initiated into the secret society after completing all the required tasks. [initiated: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Christening is more commonly used in religious contexts and is specific to the Christian faith, while initiation is a more versatile term that can be used in both religious and non-religious contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between christening and initiation?
Both christening and initiation are formal events, but christening is typically associated with a more traditional and religious tone, while initiation can be used in a wider range of formality levels depending on the context.
