What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cinder
Example
She carefully picked up the cinder with the tongs and placed it in the ashtray. [cinder: noun]
Example
The campfire was dying down, and all that remained were a few cinders. [cinders: plural noun]
ash
Example
He used a brush to sweep away the ash from the fireplace. [ash: noun]
Example
The volcano erupted, covering the nearby town in a thick layer of ash. [ash: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ash is more commonly used than cinder in everyday language. Ash is a versatile term that can be used in various contexts, such as describing the residue after a fire or the powdery substance left after burning. Cinder, on the other hand, is less common and is more specific to partially burned material.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cinder and ash?
Both cinder and ash are relatively informal words. However, ash is more widely recognized and used in both formal and informal contexts, while cinder may be less familiar to some people and is more commonly used in informal or specialized settings.
