What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
plates
Example
She carefully arranged the food on the plate before serving it. [plate: noun]
Example
He plated the steak and vegetables beautifully for the dinner party. [plated: past tense verb]
dishes
Example
The lasagna was baked in a large dish and served family-style. [dish: noun]
Example
She washed the dishes after dinner while her husband dried them. [dishes: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Plates are more commonly used than dishes in everyday language, especially when referring to individual servings of food. However, dishes are more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts, including cooking and storage.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between plates and dishes?
Plates are generally associated with more formal or elegant settings, while dishes can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the formality level can also depend on the specific type of plate or dish being used.
