What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
chime
Example
The church bells began to chime, signaling the start of the wedding ceremony. [chime: verb]
Example
The wind chimes on the porch created a soothing chime as the breeze blew. [chime: noun]
ring
Example
I heard the doorbell ring and went to answer it. [ring: verb]
Example
The phone's ring startled me, and I quickly picked it up. [ring: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ring is more commonly used than chime in everyday language. Ring is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while chime is less common and more specific to certain sounds or objects.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between chime and ring?
Both chime and ring can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, chime may have a slightly more formal tone when referring to bells or musical instruments, while ring can be used in various formality levels.
