What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
paint
Example
She painted her bedroom walls blue. [painted: past tense]
Example
He enjoys painting landscapes in his free time. [painting: gerund or present participle]
dye
Example
She dyed her hair pink for the summer. [dyed: past tense]
Example
The fabric was dyed a deep shade of red. [dyed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Paint is more commonly used than dye in everyday language. Paint is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dye is more specific to coloring fabrics or hair.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between paint and dye?
Both paint and dye can be used in formal and informal contexts, but paint is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels.
