Cool MateDefence vs Shield
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Defence
Top 3,000 (common)B2noun
Shield
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Shield
| Defence | Shield | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈfens/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈfens/","/ˈdiːfens/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ʃiːld//🇺🇸 //ʃiːld// |
| Meaning | Protection from harm or danger. | A protective barrier or device. |
| Example | The team's defence was strong, preventing the opposing players from scoring any goals. | The soldier raised his shield to block the arrows. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | adequate, effective, immune, come to, leap to, rush to, in defence of, defence against, weapons of defence, effective, strong, coastal, put up, bolster, improve, mechanism, defence against, capability, establishment, force, good, robust, solid, conduct, make, mount, attorney, counsel, lawyer, in somebody’s defence, defence of, defence to, counsel for the defence, good, robust, solid, conduct, make, mount, attorney, counsel, lawyer, in somebody’s defence, defence of, defence to, counsel for the defence, good, solid, staunch, play, put up, destroy, in defence, on defence | protective shield, energy shield, personal shield, combat shield, shield wall |
| Antonyms | attack, offense | attack, assail, expose |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'defense'; remember 'defence' is British English., Incorrectly using as a verb; 'defence' is a noun., Mispronouncing the ending; ensure the 'ce' sounds like 's'. | Confusing 'shield' with 'shelter' – they have different meanings., Using 'shield' as a verb without an object., Confusing the types of shields in gaming or sports. |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Common in legal, sports, and military discussions. Avoid in casual conversations unless relevant. | Use 'shield' when discussing protection, both physical and metaphorical. It is often used in contexts like law, gaming, and safety. Avoid using it in overly casual settings where simpler terms are more suitable. |
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Frequently asked questions: Defence vs Shield
What's the difference between Defence and Shield?
Defence: Protection from harm or danger. Shield: A protective barrier or device.
Which is more common: Defence and Shield?
Shield is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Defence: The team's defence was strong, preventing the opposing players from scoring any goals. Shield: The soldier raised his shield to block the arrows.
Can I use Defence and Shield interchangeably?
Not always. Defence and Shield 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.