What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
darning
Example
She spent the afternoon darning her favorite sweater. [darning: verb]
Example
Darning is a useful skill to have when you want to repair your clothes. [darning: noun]
patching
Example
He patched the hole in his jeans with a piece of denim. [patched: verb]
Example
Patching is a quick way to fix a hole in your clothes. [patching: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Patching is more commonly used than darning in everyday language. Patching is a quick and easy way to repair a hole, while darning requires more skill and time.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between darning and patching?
Both darning and patching are associated with a casual and informal tone, as they are typically done at home and not by professionals. However, darning may be seen as more traditional and old-fashioned than patching.