What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
honing
Example
She spent hours honing her public speaking skills. [honing: verb]
Example
He used a whetstone to hone the blade of his knife. [hone: verb]
perfecting
Example
The chef spent years perfecting his signature dish. [perfecting: verb]
Example
She is always striving for perfection in her work. [perfection: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Perfecting is less commonly used than honing in everyday language. Honing is a versatile term that can be applied to various contexts, while perfecting is more specific and often used in the context of achieving excellence in a particular field.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between honing and perfecting?
Both honing and perfecting are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.