What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pan
Example
I need a pan to cook the eggs. [pan: noun]
Example
She is pan-frying the chicken for dinner. [pan-frying: verb]
skillet
Example
He cooked the steak in a cast-iron skillet. [skillet: noun]
Example
She is skillet-cooking the vegetables for the stir-fry. [skillet-cooking: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pan is more commonly used than skillet in everyday language. Pan is a versatile kitchen tool that can be used for a variety of cooking methods, while skillet is more specific to frying and sautéing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pan and skillet?
Both pan and skillet are casual and informal words that can be used in any context without sounding too formal or stuffy.
