Cool MateHostage vs Prisoner
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hostage
Top 5,000 (fairly common)C1noun
Prisoner
Top 2,000 (common)B1noun
Most common: Prisoner
| Hostage | Prisoner | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈhɒstɪdʒ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈhɑːstɪdʒ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈprɪznə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈprɪznər/"]/ |
| Meaning | A person who is kept as a prisoner to force others to do something. | A person who is in jail. |
| Example | Three children were **taken hostage** during the bank robbery. | The prisoner escaped from the high-security facility yesterday. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | hold (somebody), keep (somebody), seize | virtual, political, life, capture, take, detain, hold somebody prisoner, keep somebody prisoner, a prisoner of conscience, virtual, political, life, capture, take, detain, hold somebody prisoner, keep somebody prisoner, a prisoner of conscience |
| Antonyms | freedom, liberty | free person, citizen |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'host' — 'hostage' refers to a prisoner., Mispronouncing the word as 'h-o-s-t-age' instead of 'h-o-s-t-ij.', Using 'hostage' in a non-serious context, which can be insensitive. | Confused with 'prison' (the place) and 'prisoner' (the person)., Used to describe someone arrested but not yet convicted. |
| Usage notes | Used in contexts involving crime or negotiation. Avoid in casual conversations unless discussing serious events. Common in news reports or discussions about security. | Use 'prisoner' to refer to someone who is legally confined in a prison. Avoid in casual conversations; use 'inmate' in more technical contexts. |
Frequently asked questions: Hostage vs Prisoner
What's the difference between Hostage and Prisoner?
Hostage: A person who is kept as a prisoner to force others to do something. Prisoner: A person who is in jail.
Which is more common: Hostage and Prisoner?
Prisoner is the most common in everyday English.
Are Hostage and Prisoner the same CEFR level?
Hostage: C1, Prisoner: B1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Hostage and Prisoner interchangeably?
Not always. Hostage and Prisoner 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.