Learn English – When to use “alright” and when to use “okay”

word-choiceword-usage

While speaking when should I use "alright" and when should I use "okay" ? Their meaning what I think is somewhat similar yet their sense seems to be different.

Please provide some helpful examples with your explanations.

EDIT 1:

When I am saying the meanings are similar but senses are not same. This occurs with synonyms. Yes. That is what synonyms are what I believe. Such as poor, broke, bankrupt are synonyms but we can't use them in same sense or in same context usually.

EDIT 2:

In the first edit I used examples of poor, broke and bankrupt for the ease of understanding. Of course this is not the case with "alright" and "okay".
They are more interchangeable. Nevertheless, as I said before, that their meaning is similar , but their sense differ. If I would think of some other words like these, they will also make some new questions which I don't want to include in this.

EDIT 3:

Why do I say "alright" and "okay" has similar meanings? Because when we say alright, It gives a sense of satisfactory response, such as to put it in "fairly well" response. When we say okay I presume it gives a sense of satisfactory response but a "not specially good" hidden in there somewhere also. The sense of the words may differ that alright carry a bit of positive outlook and okay may carry a bit of negativity with it.

Now I am not sure of these conclusions but this is as far as I could gather from what I have observed while listening to natives speak.

I would had put this 3rd EDIT in answer but for good reasons I don't have those privileges now.

Best Answer

There are at least two ways these terms can be used:

1) They can be used to indicate assent:

For example:

We need some more eggs to make the soufflé. Can you go buy some?
Alright. (or, Okay.)

2) They can be used to indicate that the quality of something is "satisfactory but not exceptionally or especially good":

For example:

How was the movie last night?
It was okay. (or, It was alright)

In these two contexts, I find these terms pretty much interchangeable. In the first, you agree, but without any particular eagerness. In the second, they both convey about the same sense of enthusiasm (or apathy).

I will offer an opinion that differs slightly from Mowzer's: I think they are both somewhat general and informal terms. If for some reason more formality, politeness, or precision is called for, I would recommend using different words altogether. For example:

Judge: I'll need you to approach the bench and take the oath.
My response: Yes, your honor. (not, "Alright" or, "Okay")

English Professor: What did you think of the Faulkner story you read this weekend?
My response: It has a good message, but it's a little dry. (not, "It's alright" or, "It's okay")

Girlfriend's mother: We need some more eggs to make the soufflé. Can you go buy some?
My Response: I'd be glad to. (not, "Alright" or, "Okay")

I think your question is a fair one, and your analogy is a good one. But, in this case, I think the two words are much more interchangeable than, say, broke and bankrupt.

Related Topic