What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
baking
Example
She loves baking cookies for her friends. [baking: verb]
Example
Baking requires following a recipe and measuring ingredients accurately. [baking: gerund or present participle]
cooking
Example
I enjoy cooking dinner for my family. [cooking: noun]
Example
She is cooking pasta for lunch. [cooking: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cooking is more commonly used than baking in everyday language. Cooking covers a wider range of food preparation techniques and is a fundamental skill for preparing meals. Baking, although less common, is often associated with the specific act of making baked goods.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between baking and cooking?
Both baking and cooking can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, cooking is generally more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, while baking is more specific and may be associated with a casual or hobbyist tone.
