What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
braiding
Example
She is skilled at braiding her daughter's hair into beautiful styles. [braiding: present participle]
Example
The basket was made by braiding thin strips of bamboo together. [braiding: gerund]
plaiting
Example
She enjoys plaiting her hair before going to bed. [plaiting: present participle]
Example
The girls learned how to make bracelets by plaiting colorful threads together. [plaiting: gerund]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Braiding is more commonly used than plaiting in everyday language. Braiding is a versatile term that can be applied to various contexts, including hairstyling and crafting, while plaiting is more specific to certain cultural or traditional practices.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between braiding and plaiting?
Both braiding and plaiting can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, plaiting may be perceived as slightly more formal due to its association with traditional or cultural hairstyles.
