What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
malt
Example
The brewer used malted barley to make the beer. [malted: past participle]
Example
I added some malt powder to the cookie dough for extra flavor. [malt: noun]
barley
Example
The farmer grew barley on his land for animal feed. [barley: noun]
Example
The brewery used a special strain of barley to make their signature beer. [barley: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Barley is more commonly used and recognized than malt in everyday language. Barley is a versatile grain with many uses, while malt is a more specialized product used mainly in brewing and baking.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between malt and barley?
Both malt and barley are relatively neutral in terms of formality. They can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation and audience.
