Cool MateReceiver vs Recipient
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Receiver
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Recipient
Top 5,000 (fairly common)C1noun
Most common: Receiver
| Receiver | Recipient | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈsiːvə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈsiːvər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈsɪpiənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈsɪpiənt/"]/ |
| Meaning | a person or thing that gets something | The person who receives something. |
| Example | The receiver caught the ball and ran towards the end zone. | recipients of awards |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | phone, telephone, lift, pick up, grab, dangle, over the receiver, hold the receiver to your ear, put the receiver to your ear, hand-held, portable, GPS, module, unit, antenna, official, court-appointed, administrative, appoint, appoint somebody (as), call in, in the hands of the receiver | largest, main, major, recipient of |
| Antonyms | sender, giver | sender, donor, giver |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'receiver' with 'receiver's' (possessive form), Using 'received' instead of 'receiver' as a noun, Mistaking 'receiver' for 'receiver' in sports contexts only | 'Recipent' is a common misspelling., Confusing 'recipient' with 'recipient's' (possessive form)., 'Receipient' is a common misspelling. |
| Usage notes | Typically used in contexts involving communication or delivery. It can refer to a person getting a message, package, or other items. Avoid in very casual conversations unless necessary. | Use 'recipient' in contexts involving awards, gifts, or letters. It's appropriate in both spoken and written settings, but might sound too formal for casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Receiver vs Recipient
What's the difference between Receiver and Recipient?
Receiver: a person or thing that gets something Recipient: The person who receives something.
Which is more common: Receiver and Recipient?
Receiver is the most common in everyday English.
Are Receiver and Recipient the same CEFR level?
Receiver: B2, Recipient: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Receiver and Recipient interchangeably?
Not always. Receiver and Recipient 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.