What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dishtowel
Example
Can you hand me the dishtowel so I can dry these dishes? [dishtowel: noun]
Example
I spilled some water on the counter, let me grab the dishtowel to clean it up. [dishtowel: noun]
dishcloth
Example
I need to wash this dishcloth, it's covered in grease. [dishcloth: noun]
Example
Can you grab the dishcloth and wipe down the counters? [dishcloth: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dishcloth is more commonly used than dishtowel in everyday language. Dishcloth is a versatile term that covers a wide range of kitchen cleaning tasks, while dishtowel is less common and refers specifically to a towel used for drying dishes.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dishtowel and dishcloth?
Both dishtowel and dishcloth are informal terms and are used interchangeably in casual conversations. Neither term is considered more formal than the other.