Build vs. Create — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 12, 2023
"Build" implies constructing or assembling something tangible, while "Create" signifies bringing something new into existence, which can be tangible or intangible.
Difference Between Build and Create
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Build often pertains to the process of constructing something physical, like a building or a bridge. Create, in contrast, has a broader scope, encompassing the production of both tangible objects and intangible concepts, like ideas or art.
While someone might build a house using bricks and mortar, an artist might create a painting using colors and imagination. The former stresses construction, while the latter emphasizes origination.
Build suggests a progression, often involving layers or components. For example, one might build a reputation over time. Create suggests inception or innovation, such as when one creates a novel solution to a problem.
The act of building typically requires materials or components that are assembled or constructed. On the other hand, to create can involve sheer imagination, as when a writer creates a story from their mind.
In essence, while all things built can be said to be created, not all things created are built. An architect might build a model of a proposed building, but a musician creates a melody.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
To construct something physical
To bring something into existence
Nature
Tangible
Can be tangible or intangible
Example
Constructing a house
Creating a song
Materials/Components
Often requires specific materials/components
May not require any physical materials
Scope
More specific to construction
Broader, encompassing origination and innovation
Compare with Definitions
Build
To construct by assembling parts.
They decided to build a treehouse for their children.
Create
To establish or institute anew.
The company decided to create a new department.
Build
To establish a basis for.
The lawyer tried to build a strong case for his client.
Create
To produce through imaginative skill.
The author created a compelling narrative.
Build
To form by combining materials or parts; construct.
Create
To cause or bring about a situation.
His actions created a lot of tension in the room.
Build
To order, finance, or supervise the construction of
The administration built several new housing projects.
Create
To design or produce a new version or instance.
The chef wanted to create a new twist on a classic dish.
Build
To develop or give form to according to a plan or process; create
Build a nation.
Built a successful business out of their corner grocery store.
Create
Bring (something) into existence
He created a thirty-acre lake
Over 170 jobs were created
Build
To increase or strengthen by adding gradually to
Money building interest in a savings account.
Build support for a political candidate.
Create
Make a fuss; complain
Little kids create because they hate being ignored
Build
To establish a basis for; found or ground
Build an argument on fact.
Create
To cause to exist; bring into being
Created a new music school.
Build
To make something by combining materials or parts.
Create
To give rise to; produce
That remark created a stir.
Build
To engage in the construction or design of buildings
"Each of the three architects built in a different style" (Dwight Macdonald).
Create
To produce through artistic or imaginative effort
Create a poem.
Create a dramatic role.
Build
To develop in magnitude or extent
Clouds building on the horizon.
Create
To invest with an office or title; appoint
He was created a baron.
Build
To progress toward a maximum, as of intensity
Suspense building from the opening scene to the climax.
Create
Created.
Build
The physical makeup of a person or thing, especially one's physique
An athletic build.
Create
(transitive) To bring into existence; (sometimes in particular:)
You can create the color orange by mixing yellow and red.
Build
(Computers) Any of various versions of a software product as it is being developed for release to users.
Create
To bring into existence out of nothing, without the prior existence of the materials or elements used.
Build
(transitive) To form (something) by combining materials or parts.
Create
To make or produce from other (e.g. raw, unrefined or scattered) materials or combinable elements or ideas; to design or invest with a new form, shape, function, etc.
Couturiers create exclusive garments for an affluent clientele.
Build
(transitive) To develop or give form to (something) according to a plan or process.
Create
(transitive) To cause, to bring (a non-object) about by an action, behavior, or event, to occasion.
Crop failures created food shortages and high prices; his stubbornness created many difficulties
A sudden chemical spill on the highway created a chain‐collision which created a record traffic jam.
Build
(transitive) To increase or strengthen (something) by adding gradually to.
Create
(transitive) To confer or invest with a rank or title of nobility, to appoint, ordain or constitute.
Henry VIII created him a Duke.
Last month, the queen created two barons.
Under the concordate with Belgium, at least one Belgian clergyman must be created cardinal; by tradition, every archbishop of Mechelen is thus created a cardinal.
Build
(transitive) To establish a basis for (something).
Create
(intransitive) To be or do something creative, imaginative, originative.
Children usually enjoy creating, never mind if it is of any use!
Build
(intransitive) To form by combining materials or parts.
Create
(transitive) In theatre, to be the first performer of a role; to originate a character.
Build
(intransitive) To develop in magnitude or extent.
Create
To make a fuss, complain; to shout.
Build
To construct (software) by compiling its source code.
Create
(obsolete) Created, resulting from creation.
Build
To be converted into software by compilation, usually with minimal human intervention.
This code won’t build any more. Have you made any changes?
Create
Created; composed; begotten.
Hearts create of duty and zeal.
Build
The physique of a human or animal body, or other object; constitution or structure.
Rugby players are of sturdy build.
Create
To bring into being; to form out of nothing; to cause to exist.
In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.
Build
Any of various versions of a software product as it is being developed for release to users.
The computer company has introduced a new prototype build to beta testers.
Create
To effect by the agency, and under the laws, of causation; to be the occasion of; to cause; to produce; to form or fashion; to renew.
Your eye in ScotlandWould create soldiers.
Create in me a clean heart.
Build
A structure, such as a building, statue, pool or forest, or a configuration of a character's items or skills, created by the player.
I made a build that looked like the Parthenon in that game.
Create
To invest with a new form, office, or character; to constitute; to appoint; to make; as, to create one a peer.
Build
To erect or construct, as an edifice or fabric of any kind; to form by uniting materials into a regular structure; to fabricate; to make; to raise.
Nor aught availed him nowTo have built in heaven high towers.
Create
Make or cause to be or to become;
Make a mess in one's office
Create a furor
Build
To raise or place on a foundation; to form, establish, or produce by using appropriate means.
Who builds his hopes in air of your good looks.
Create
Bring into existence;
The company was created 25 years ago
He created a new movement in painting
Build
To increase and strengthen; to increase the power and stability of; to settle, or establish, and preserve; - frequently with up; as, to build up one's constitution.
I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up.
Create
Pursue a creative activity; be engaged in a creative activity;
Don't disturb him--he is creating
Build
To exercise the art, or practice the business, of building.
Create
Invest with a new title, office, or rank;
Create one a peer
Build
To rest or depend, as on a foundation; to ground one's self or one's hopes or opinions upon something deemed reliable; to rely; as, to build on the opinions or advice of others.
Create
Create by artistic means;
Create a poem
Schoenberg created twelve-tone music
Picasso created Cubism
Auden made verses
Build
Form or mode of construction; general figure; make; as, the build of a ship; a great build on a man.
Create
Create or manufacture a man-made product;
We produce more cars than we can sell
The company has been making toys for two centuries
Build
Constitution of the human body
Create
To bring into existence.
She decided to create a new line of jewelry.
Build
Alternative names for the body of a human being;
Leonardo studied the human body
He has a strong physique
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
Build
Make by combining materials and parts;
This little pig made his house out of straw
Some eccentric constructed an electric brassiere warmer
Build
Form or accumulate steadily;
Resistance to the manager's plan built up quickly
Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border
Build
Build or establish something abstract;
Build a reputation
Build
Improve the cleansing action of;
Build detergents
Build
Order, supervise, or finance the construction of;
The government is building new schools in this state
Build
Give form to, according to a plan;
Build a modern nation
Build a million-dollar business
Build
Be engaged in building;
These architects build in interesting and new styles
Build
Found or ground;
Build a defense on nothing but the accused person's reputation
Build
Bolster or strengthen;
We worked up courage
Build up confidence
Ramp up security in the airports
Build
Develop and grow;
Suspense was building right from the beginning of the opera
Build
To develop or increase in stages.
She worked hard to build her business from scratch.
Build
To mold or form by combining materials.
Children love to build figures with clay.
Build
To accumulate or gather over time.
Over the years, he managed to build a significant collection of antiques.
Common Curiosities
Which word is broader in scope, "build" or "create"?
"Create" is broader, encompassing both tangible and intangible production.
Can "build" refer to non-physical construction?
Yes, one can "build" a reputation or relationship, which are intangible.
Do both "build" and "create" refer to making something?
Yes, but while "build" often implies physical construction, "create" can refer to producing both tangible and intangible things.
Is "create" always about making something new?
Typically, yes. "Create" implies origination or innovation.
Do both words imply progression?
While "build" inherently suggests progression, "create" focuses more on inception but can also involve progression.
Can "build" refer to developing a skill?
Yes, one can "build" skills or knowledge over time.
Can one "build" a story?
Yes, but it implies structuring or developing the narrative, whereas "create" emphasizes originality.
Does "build" always require physical materials?
Often, but not always. One can "build" trust, for instance, without physical components.
Does "build" imply a process?
Yes, "build" often suggests a progression or assembly over time.
Which word leans more toward artistic expression?
"Create" often leans more toward artistic or imaginative expression.
Is every "creation" built?
No, intangible creations, like ideas, aren't "built" in the physical sense.
Which word is more appropriate for establishing a new institution?
"Create" is more apt, as in creating a new foundation or organization.
Can "create" refer to designing something?
Yes, a designer can "create" a new fashion line, for instance.
Can "create" refer to causing a situation?
Yes, for example, an event can "create" chaos or harmony.
What does "create" imply in the realm of arts?
In the arts, "create" implies original production or expression, like creating a song or painting.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
