Lawsuit vs Litigation

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

 LawsuitLitigation
MeaningA legal case someone brings to court.A process of taking legal action in court.
Registerformalformal
CEFR levelC1-
Part of speechnoun
Usage notesUsed in formal contexts, particularly in legal discussions. Not appropriate in casual conversations. Common in news articles about legal matters.Used in legal contexts; avoid in casual conversations. More common in professional and academic settings.

Frequently asked questions: Lawsuit vs Litigation

What's the difference between "Lawsuit" and "Litigation"?

"Lawsuit" means: A legal case someone brings to court. "Litigation" means: A process of taking legal action in court.

When should I use "Lawsuit" and "Litigation"?

"Lawsuit" is formal; "Litigation" is formal.

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