What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pinch
Example
Can you give me a pinch of salt for the recipe? [pinch: noun]
Example
Ouch! That pinch hurt. [pinch: noun]
Example
She pinched a cookie from the jar when no one was looking. [pinched: past tense]
squeeze
Example
Please squeeze the lemon to get the juice out. [squeeze: verb]
Example
He gave her a warm squeeze before leaving. [squeeze: noun]
Example
I had to squeeze through the crowd to get to the front. [squeezed: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Squeeze is more commonly used than pinch in everyday language. Squeeze is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while pinch is less common and has more specific uses.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pinch and squeeze?
Both pinch and squeeze are informal words, but squeeze can be used in more formal contexts than pinch due to its versatility.
