What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
decanter
Example
The waiter brought a decanter of red wine to the table. [decanter: noun]
Example
She carefully decanted the vintage port to separate the sediment. [decanted: past tense verb]
carafe
Example
The restaurant provided a carafe of water for the table. [carafe: noun]
Example
He poured the homemade vinaigrette from the carafe onto the salad. [carafe: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Carafe is more commonly used than decanter in everyday language. Carafe is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while decanter is less common and refers specifically to serving wine or other alcoholic beverages.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between decanter and carafe?
Decanter is typically associated with a formal and elegant tone, while carafe is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
