Words Matter What's the difference between a commonwealth and a state? Are Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia all that different from the rest? More Words At Play. Merriam-Webster's Words of the Week - Oct. Time Traveler. Love words? Need even more definitions? Ask the Editors 'Everyday' vs. What Is 'Semantic Bleaching'?
How 'literally' can mean "figuratively". So what does this mean in practical terms? What sets commonwealths apart from other states? Other than the name, there really is no legal or governmental difference between states known as states and states known as commonwealths.
In fact, the word state is also often used in such documents without any distinction. In addition, the states of Vermont and Delaware use both commonwealth and state in official documents. In general, all four are most commonly called states. In other contexts, the word commonwealth may have more importance or entail a legal distinction. For example, because Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth territory of the US, its citizens are US citizens, but they do not have all the legal rights of the citizens of US states.
Have a strong grasp of the difference between state and commonwealth? Test yourself with our quiz! Whether you need one-on-one or group study sessions, Dictionary Academy tutoring is custom-fit to meet your learning needs. Feedback Tired of Typos? Word of the Day. Meanings Meanings. For you. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options.
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