What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gimlet
Example
He used a gimlet to make a small hole in the wooden board. [gimlet: noun]
Example
The bartender mixed a gimlet for the customer. [gimlet: noun]
Example
Her gimlet wit made her a popular guest on talk shows. [gimlet: adjective]
auger
Example
The carpenter used an auger to drill a hole in the wooden beam. [auger: noun]
Example
The farmer used an auger to move the grain from the silo to the truck. [auger: noun]
Example
She had an auger-like ability to predict the outcome of events. [auger: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Auger is more commonly used than gimlet in everyday language, especially in the context of tools and machinery. Gimlet is less common and is mostly used in the context of cocktails or as an adjective to describe a sharp-tongued or insightful person.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gimlet and auger?
Both gimlet and auger are formal words that are typically used in technical or specialized contexts. However, gimlet can also be used in a more casual context when referring to the cocktail or as an adjective to describe a person's characteristics.