The word electrical can be used generally to talk about anything that uses electricity or more specifically for things that process or develop electricity. Such as an electrical engineer, electrical component, electrical outlets, electrical system, electrical faults, etc.
Whereas the word electric describes an appliance or machine that functions on electricity. Such as an electric iron, electric oven, electric guitar, electric shock, electric motor etc.
Also remember that electric can function as a noun, take a look at the example below:
- The oven is electric, it doesn’t need gas.
- The guitar is electric.
Electric can also be used figuratively:
- We went to a concert last night, the atmosphere was electric, there was so much energy and excitement!
As you can see from above the two words are similar in meaning and can be interchangeable but try to keep in mind the important differences I have mentioned above.
