What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
recipe
Example
I found a great recipe for chocolate chip cookies online. [recipe: noun]
Example
The recipe calls for two cups of flour and one cup of sugar. [recipe: noun]
Example
This is the recipe for success in our business. [recipe: metaphorical usage]
procedure
Example
Before surgery, the doctor will explain the procedure to you. [procedure: noun]
Example
The company has a strict procedure for handling customer complaints. [procedure: noun]
Example
We need to follow a specific procedure to troubleshoot this issue. [procedure: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Recipe is more commonly used than procedure in everyday language, especially in the context of cooking and baking. Procedure is more commonly used in formal settings such as medicine, law, or business.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between recipe and procedure?
Procedure is generally considered more formal than recipe, as it is often used in professional or academic settings where precision and accuracy are important.