What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
distill
Example
The chemist used a distillation process to purify the water. [distillation: noun]
Example
The whiskey was distilled in copper stills to produce a smooth flavor. [distilled: past participle]
extract
Example
The dentist had to extract my wisdom teeth. [extract: verb]
Example
The scientist extracted DNA from the blood sample for analysis. [extracted: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Extract is more commonly used than distill in everyday language. Extract is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while distill is less common and is typically used in scientific or industrial processes.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between distill and extract?
Both distill and extract can be used in formal and scientific contexts. However, distill may be considered more formal due to its association with specialized equipment and scientific processes.
