What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pickle
Example
I love eating pickles with my sandwich. [pickle: noun]
Example
She pickled some beets for the party. [pickled: past tense verb]
Example
He's in a bit of a pickle with his boss. [pickle: idiom]
condiment
Example
Can you pass me the ketchup? It's my favorite condiment. [condiment: noun]
Example
I like to sprinkle some garlic powder on my pasta as a condiment. [condiment: noun]
Example
The olives served as a condiment to the cheese platter. [condiment: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Condiment is more commonly used than pickle in everyday language. Condiment is a versatile term that covers a wide range of food items, while pickle is more specific and refers to a particular type of preserved vegetable.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pickle and condiment?
Both pickle and condiment can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation and tone of the conversation.