What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lixiviate
Example
The chemist lixiviated the compound to extract the desired product. [lixiviate: verb]
Example
The process of lixiviation involves washing the solid with a solvent to extract the soluble components. [lixiviation: noun]
leach
Example
The soil was leached of its nutrients due to excessive rain. [leached: past participle]
Example
The mining company used cyanide to leach gold from the ore. [leach: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Leach is more commonly used than lixiviate in everyday language. Leach is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while lixiviate is less common and has a more technical connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lixiviate and leach?
Lixiviate is typically associated with a technical and formal tone, while leach can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
