What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
enlist
Example
He decided to enlist in the army after finishing high school. [enlist: verb]
Example
We need to enlist the help of volunteers to clean up the park. [enlist: verb]
recruit
Example
The company is looking to recruit new talent for their marketing team. [recruit: verb]
Example
She was able to recruit several volunteers for the charity event. [recruit: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Recruit is more commonly used than enlist in everyday language. Recruit is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while enlist is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between enlist and recruit?
Both enlist and recruit can be used in formal or professional contexts, but recruit is more commonly used in business or employment settings, making it slightly more formal in those contexts.
