What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
brew
Example
I like to brew a fresh pot of coffee every morning. [brew: verb]
Example
The brewery is known for its unique craft beers that are brewed on-site. [brewed: past tense]
distill
Example
The distillery produces high-quality whiskey that is carefully distilled. [distill: verb]
Example
She used a distillation apparatus to extract the aromatic oils from the flowers. [distillation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Brew is more commonly used than distill in everyday language, as it encompasses a wider range of contexts, including coffee and tea brewing. Distill is less common and is mainly associated with the production of alcoholic beverages or the purification of liquids.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between brew and distill?
While brew is generally considered informal and casual, distill is more formal and technical due to its association with the production of alcoholic beverages and the scientific process of distillation.
