What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rim
Example
The basketball bounced off the rim and missed the shot. [rim: noun]
Example
She carefully wiped the rim of the glass with a cloth. [rim: noun]
Example
He rimmed the pie crust with a fork before baking it. [rimmed: verb]
perimeter
Example
The police set up a perimeter around the crime scene. [perimeter: noun]
Example
The perimeter of the rectangle is twice the sum of its length and width. [perimeter: noun]
Example
She measured the perimeter of the garden to determine how much fencing was needed. [perimeter: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rim is more commonly used than perimeter in everyday language, especially in sports and household contexts. Perimeter is more commonly used in technical or academic contexts, such as mathematics or engineering.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rim and perimeter?
Perimeter is more formal than rim, as it is typically used in technical or academic contexts. However, both words can be used in formal or informal settings depending on the context.