What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
paint
Example
I need to buy some paint to touch up the walls in my room. [paint: noun]
Example
She likes to paint landscapes with watercolors. [paint: verb]
Example
He spent the afternoon painting the fence in the backyard. [painting: gerund or present participle]
stain
Example
I want to stain the deck to give it a darker color. [stain: verb]
Example
The red wine left a stain on the white tablecloth. [stain: noun]
Example
He spent the weekend staining the cabinets in the kitchen. [staining: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Paint is more commonly used than stain in everyday language. Paint is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while stain is less common and refers to a specific type of surface treatment.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between paint and stain?
While paint is typically associated with a more formal tone, stain is more casual and informal. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context.
