What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
leaching
Example
The gold was extracted from the ore by leaching it with cyanide. [leaching: verb]
Example
The soil was leached of its nutrients due to excessive rainfall. [leached: past participle]
extraction
Example
The extraction of caffeine from coffee beans involves several steps. [extraction: noun]
Example
The dentist performed an extraction on the patient's impacted wisdom tooth. [extraction: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Extraction is more commonly used than leaching in everyday language, as it is a more versatile term that covers a wider range of contexts. Leaching is a more specialized term that is primarily used in specific industries.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between leaching and extraction?
Both leaching and extraction are technical terms that are typically used in formal contexts, such as scientific research, engineering, and industry-specific discussions.
