What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Tattoo vs Piercing - What's the difference?

tattoo | piercing |

As nouns the difference between tattoo and piercing

is that tattoo is tattoo while piercing is body piercing.

tattoo

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) .

Noun

(wikipedia tattoo) (en noun)
  • An image made in the skin with ink and a needle.
  • A method of decorating the skin by inserting colored substances under the surface. The skin is punctured with a sharp instrument, which now is usually a solenoid-driven needle, that carries the inks to lower layers of the skin.

    • Verb

  • To apply a tattoo to (someone or something).
  • (baseball) To hit the ball hard, as if to figuratively leave a tattoo on the ball.
    • Jones tattoos one into the gap in left; that will clear the bases.

    Derived terms

    * tatt * tattoo artist * tattoo parlour *

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) taptoe.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (nautical) A signal played five minutes before taps (lights out).
  • A signal by drum or bugle ordering soldiers to return to their quarters.
  • A military display or pageant.

    • Etymology 3

    From (etyl) tatt? .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A breed of pony from India; a pony of that breed.

    • piercing

    English

    Verb

    (head)

    • Noun

  • (uncountable) The action of the verb to pierce
  • A hole made in the body so that jewellery/jewelry can be worn through it
    • ear piercing
  • The jewelry itself

    • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Anything or anyone that pierces.
    • piercing eyes
    The piercing noise of the children could be heard two blocks from the elementary school.