What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
leaven
Example
Add a pinch of leaven to the dough to make it rise. [leaven: noun]
Example
Her humor leavened the tense atmosphere in the room. [leavened: verb]
yeast
Example
The recipe calls for two teaspoons of yeast to make the bread rise. [yeast: noun]
Example
The new manager brought fresh ideas that acted as a yeast for the company's growth. [yeast: metaphorical use]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Yeast is more commonly used than leaven in everyday language, especially in the context of baking.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between leaven and yeast?
Both leaven and yeast are relatively formal words, but yeast is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while leaven is less common and may be perceived as more formal or archaic.
