Power vs Strength

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

Power

Top 1,000 (very common) A2 noun

Strength

Top 1,000 (very common) B1 noun

	Power	Strength
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/ˈpaʊə(r)/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈpaʊər/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/streŋkθ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/streŋkθ/"]/
Meaning	The ability to do something or to control people or things.	The ability to be strong or powerful.
Example	The power of the wind can generate electricity.	Her strength helped her lift the heavy box with ease.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	A2	B1
Part of speech	noun	noun
Collocations	absolute, ultimate, considerable, come to, rise to, assume, be concentrated in (the hands of somebody/​something), flow from somebody/​something, lie with somebody/​something, struggle, relations, structure, in power, in somebody’s power, power of, abuse of power, the balance of power, a bid for power, absolute, ultimate, considerable, come to, rise to, assume, be concentrated in (the hands of somebody/​something), flow from somebody/​something, lie with somebody/​something, struggle, relations, structure, in power, in somebody’s power, power of, abuse of power, the balance of power, a bid for power, full, reduced, electric, generate, produce, provide (somebody/​something with), drive something, run something, go off, cable, grid, line, power for, a source of power, full, reduced, electric, generate, produce, provide (somebody/​something with), drive something, run something, go off, cable, grid, line, power for, a source of power, awesome, great, real, awesome, great, real, air, combat, military, have, possess, use, beyond somebody/​something’s power, in somebody’s power, within somebody’s power, at the height of your powers, at the peak of your powers, at the zenith of your powers, air, combat, military, have, possess, use, beyond somebody/​something’s power, in somebody’s power, within somebody’s power, at the height of your powers, at the peak of your powers, at the zenith of your powers, air, combat, military, have, possess, use, beyond somebody/​something’s power, in somebody’s power, within somebody’s power, at the height of your powers, at the peak of your powers, at the zenith of your powers, absolute, ultimate, considerable, come to, rise to, assume, be concentrated in (the hands of somebody/​something), flow from somebody/​something, lie with somebody/​something, struggle, relations, structure, in power, in somebody’s power, power of, abuse of power, the balance of power, a bid for power, great, major, world, air, combat, military, have, possess, use, beyond somebody/​something’s power, in somebody’s power, within somebody’s power, at the height of your powers, at the peak of your powers, at the zenith of your powers, air, combat, military, have, possess, use, beyond somebody/​something’s power, in somebody’s power, within somebody’s power, at the height of your powers, at the peak of your powers, at the zenith of your powers, absolute, ultimate, considerable, come to, rise to, assume, be concentrated in (the hands of somebody/​something), flow from somebody/​something, lie with somebody/​something, struggle, relations, structure, in power, in somebody’s power, power of, abuse of power, the balance of power, a bid for power	considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength, considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength, considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength, considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength, considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength, great, real, individual, capitalize on, exploit, play to, come from something, lie in something, strengths and weaknesses, considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength
Antonyms	weakness, ineffectiveness	weakness, frailty
Common mistakes	'Power' as a verb — learners often mistakenly use 'power' when they mean to say 'empower'., Confusing 'power' with 'might', as they have different nuances., Misusing 'power' in phrases, e.g., 'the power of' requires a specified noun.	Confused with 'strong', which is an adjective., Using 'strengths' when referring to good qualities or skills, but should specify context., May forget to use in plural form where applicable (e.g., 'strengths' for multiple qualities).
Usage notes	Used in both formal and informal contexts. In discussions about politics or leadership, 'power' often has a weighty connotation, while in casual settings it might refer to electricity or strength. Avoid using it in overly casual contexts when discussing serious topics.	Used when talking about physical power, mental resilience, or overall capacity. In formal contexts, it might refer to both human and material strength. Avoid using in very casual conversations where simpler words like 'power' may suffice.

Frequently asked questions: Power vs Strength

What's the difference between Power and Strength?

Power: The ability to do something or to control people or things. Strength: The ability to be strong or powerful.

Which is more advanced: Power and Strength?

Strength is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.

Are Power and Strength the same CEFR level?

Power: A2, Strength: B1 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Power and Strength?

Power: noun, Strength: noun.

Can you show an example of each?

Power: The power of the wind can generate electricity. Strength: Her strength helped her lift the heavy box with ease.

Can I use Power and Strength interchangeably?

Not always. Power and Strength 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.