What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
garbage
Example
Please take out the garbage before it starts to smell. [garbage: noun]
Example
The garbage truck comes every Monday to collect our trash. [garbage: noun]
Example
That movie was garbage, I can't believe we wasted our time watching it. [garbage: adjective]
dump
Example
The city built a new dump on the outskirts of town to handle the increasing amount of garbage. [dump: noun]
Example
It's illegal to dump hazardous waste into the river. [dump: verb]
Example
She just dumped all her problems on me at once, I didn't know how to respond. [dumped: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Garbage is more commonly used than dump in everyday language. Garbage is a neutral term that covers a wide range of contexts, while dump is less common and has more specific connotations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between garbage and dump?
Both garbage and dump are informal terms that are appropriate for casual conversation. However, garbage is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while dump is less appropriate for formal situations.