What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bureau
Example
She folded her clothes neatly and placed them in the bureau. [bureau: noun]
Example
The writer sat at the bureau, organizing their notes and preparing to write. [bureau: noun]
dresser
Example
She opened the dresser and picked out a shirt to wear. [dresser: noun]
Example
The actress had a dresser who helped her with her costumes during the play. [dresser: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dresser is more commonly used than bureau in everyday language, especially when referring to a piece of furniture. Bureau is more specific and less commonly used, often associated with formal or official contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bureau and dresser?
While bureau is typically associated with a formal and official tone, dresser is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the specific meaning.
