What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ironing
Example
I need to do some ironing before I can wear this shirt. [ironing: noun]
Example
She spent the afternoon ironing all of her husband's dress shirts. [ironing: gerund or present participle]
pressing
Example
I took my suit to the dry cleaners for pressing. [pressing: noun]
Example
She was pressing the fabric to get rid of any wrinkles. [pressing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ironing is more commonly used in everyday language and is a household chore that most people are familiar with. Pressing, on the other hand, is less common and is often associated with professional dry cleaning services.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between ironing and pressing?
Pressing is more formal than ironing and is often used in professional settings. Ironing is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
