What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
brown
Example
Her hair is a beautiful shade of brown. [brown: adjective]
Example
I like my toast lightly browned. [browned: past participle]
cocoa
Example
I love the taste of cocoa in my hot chocolate. [cocoa: noun]
Example
The walls of the room were painted in a rich cocoa color. [cocoa: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Brown is a more commonly used word in everyday language, as it is a versatile term that can be applied to many situations. On the other hand, cocoa is less commonly used but is still familiar to most people, especially in the context of chocolate and beverages.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between brown and cocoa?
Both brown and cocoa can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, brown is more commonly used and considered more neutral in terms of formality, while cocoa may have a slightly more formal connotation due to its association with food and beverages.