Machine vs Motor

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

Machine

Top 1,000 (very common) A1 noun

Motor

Top 1,000 (very common) B2 noun

	Machine	Motor
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/məˈʃiːn/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/məˈʃiːn/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ˈməʊtə(r)/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈməʊtər/"]/
Meaning	A machine is a device that uses energy to do work or perform a task.	A machine that makes something move.
Example	The machine was broken, so we couldn't finish our work.	The motor in my car is making a strange noise.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	A1	B2
Part of speech	noun	noun
Collocations	giant, great, huge, operate, run, use, go, work, break down, operator, parts, tool, by machine, in a/​the machine, on a/​the machine, a make of machine, party, political, marketing, politician, politics, a cog in the machine, a well-oiled machine	large, powerful, small, start, turn on, turn off, run, work, drive something
Antonyms	human, organism	brake, stop
Common mistakes	Confusing 'machine' with 'mechanism'—a mechanism is a part of a machine., Using 'machine' to refer to non-mechanical items like software., Overgeneralizing 'machine' to include tools that don't use power.	Confused with 'moter', a common misspelling., Used incorrectly as a verb; 'motor' is a noun., Misunderstood as referring only to electric motors, while it includes other types.
Usage notes	Use 'machine' for mechanical devices like cars or computers. Avoid using it for living beings or to describe simple tools.	Used when talking about machines, vehicles, or engines. Not typically used in very formal contexts, but acceptable in everyday conversation.

See it in real clips

Yeah. Like the one he gave to take this machine gun.

Peaky Blinders › S1 E1

left in the telegraph machine.

My sewing machine is in there, but there's plenty...

Yeah. Like the one he gave to take this machine gun.

Peaky Blinders › S1 E1

left in the telegraph machine.

Machine

Frequently asked questions: Machine vs Motor

What's the difference between Machine and Motor?

Machine: A machine is a device that uses energy to do work or perform a task. Motor: A machine that makes something move.

Which is more advanced: Machine and Motor?

Motor is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.

Are Machine and Motor the same CEFR level?

Machine: A1, Motor: B2 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Machine and Motor?

Machine: noun, Motor: noun.

Can you show an example of each?

Machine: The machine was broken, so we couldn't finish our work. Motor: The motor in my car is making a strange noise.

Can I use Machine and Motor interchangeably?

Not always. Machine and Motor 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.