Host vs Legions

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Host

Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun

Legions

Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Host
 HostLegions
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/həʊst/"]/🇺🇸 /["/həʊst/"]/🇬🇧 //ˈliːdʒənz//🇺🇸 //ˈliːdʒənz//
MeaningA person who invites others to a place or event.A large group of soldiers or people.
ExampleThe host of the party welcomed everyone with a smile.The ancient legions marched across the battlefield with great discipline.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelB1-
Part of speechnoun
Collocationscharming, generous, genial, act as, play, city, club, community, host to, charming, generous, genial, act as, play, city, club, community, host to, chat-show, game-show, radiolegions of soldiers, legions of fans, legions of supporters
Antonymsguest, attendeeindividual, single, solitary
Common mistakesConfusing 'host' with 'guest' — a host invites, while a guest attends., Using 'host' as a verb incorrectly, e.g., 'I will host a dinner' is correct, but 'I host the dinner' requires context., Forgetting to adjust verb forms, like saying 'he host' instead of 'he hosts'.Confused with 'legion' as a singular noun., Used inappropriately in informal contexts., Misunderstood as only referring to soldiers.
Usage notesOften used for gatherings or events. Considered neutral, it can be used for formal events (like conferences) or casual ones (like parties). Avoid using in overly casual contexts such as slang conversations.Used in formal and historical contexts. Not common in everyday speech. Can imply many people in various situations.

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Host
Legions

Frequently asked questions: Host vs Legions

What's the difference between Host and Legions?

Host: A person who invites others to a place or event. Legions: A large group of soldiers or people.

Which is more common: Host and Legions?

Host is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Host: The host of the party welcomed everyone with a smile. Legions: The ancient legions marched across the battlefield with great discipline.

Can I use Host and Legions interchangeably?

Not always. Host and Legions are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.