What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
leachable
Example
The leachable chemicals in the plastic container contaminated the food inside. [leachable: adjective]
Example
The leaching of heavy metals from the soil into the groundwater is a serious environmental concern. [leaching: noun]
extractable
Example
The extractable oils from the plant are used in aromatherapy. [extractable: adjective]
Example
The chemist used a solvent to extract the active ingredient from the plant material. [extract: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Extractable is more commonly used than leachable in scientific and technical contexts. Leachable is a more specialized term that is primarily used in the context of environmental contamination or product safety.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between leachable and extractable?
Both leachable and extractable are technical terms that are more likely to be used in formal or scientific contexts than in everyday language. However, extractable is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels than leachable.
