Cool MateConsume vs Devour
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Consume
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Devour
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Most common: Consume
| Consume | Devour | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈsjuːm/","/kənˈsjuːmz/","/kənˈsjuːmd/","/kənˈsjuːmɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈsuːm/","/kənˈsuːmz/","/kənˈsuːmd/","/kənˈsuːmɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //dɪˈvaʊə//🇺🇸 //dɪˈvaʊɚ// |
| Meaning | To eat or drink something or to use up something. | To eat something very eagerly or quickly. |
| Example | We need to consume less energy to help the environment. | The children devoured the delicious pizza within minutes. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | consume food, consume resources, consume energy, consume alcohol, consume information | devour a book, devour a meal, devour food, devour with delight |
| Antonyms | produce, generate | fast, nibble, snack |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'consume' with 'use'; they can mean different things., Using 'consuming' as an incorrect verb form without an object., Mixing up the noun form 'consumption' with 'consume.' | Confusing with 'devote', which means to dedicate something., Using 'devour' with inanimate objects mistakenly., Overusing it instead of simpler words like 'eat' for casual contexts. |
| Usage notes | Use 'consume' in contexts related to food, energy, or resources. It's appropriate in both spoken and written language, but avoid it in very casual conversation where simpler words like 'eat' or 'drink' might be better. | Use 'devour' when describing the act of eating with great enthusiasm or speed. It is often used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, such as in literature or when discussing a passion for books. |
Frequently asked questions: Consume vs Devour
What's the difference between Consume and Devour?
Consume: To eat or drink something or to use up something. Devour: To eat something very eagerly or quickly.
Which is more common: Consume and Devour?
Consume is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Consume and Devour?
Devour is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Consume and Devour the same CEFR level?
Consume: B1, Devour: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Consume and Devour?
Consume: verb, Devour: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Consume: We need to consume less energy to help the environment. Devour: The children devoured the delicious pizza within minutes.
Can I use Consume and Devour interchangeably?
Not always. Consume and Devour 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.