What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pares
Example
She pares the apple with a sharp knife. [pares: verb]
Example
He pares down his expenses to save money. [pares: phrasal verb]
peel
Example
She peeled the potato before boiling it. [peeled: past tense]
Example
The paint on the wall is starting to peel. [peel: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Peel is more commonly used than pare in everyday language. Peel is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while pare is less common and refers to a specific type of cutting.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pares and peel?
Both pare and peel can be used in formal and informal contexts, but pare may be seen as more formal due to its association with precision and refinement.
