What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fermentation
Example
The dough is left to undergo fermentation before baking. [fermentation: noun]
Example
The bacteria used in fermentation produce lactic acid. [fermentation: noun]
putrefaction
Example
The smell was due to the putrefaction of the food left out for too long. [putrefaction: noun]
Example
The body had already begun to show signs of putrefaction. [putrefaction: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fermentation is a more common term than putrefaction in everyday language, especially in the context of food and beverage production. Putrefaction is a less common term that is often associated with negative connotations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fermentation and putrefaction?
Fermentation is a more formal term that is commonly used in scientific and technical contexts, while putrefaction is a more informal term that is often used in casual conversation or in literary works to describe decay and decomposition.
