What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
scupper
Example
The heavy rain caused the scuppers on the ship to overflow. [scuppers: noun]
Example
The new regulations could scupper the company's plans for expansion. [scupper: verb]
Example
The scupper is designed to prevent water from pooling on the roof. [scupper: noun]
drain
Example
The sink drain was clogged with food scraps. [drain: noun]
Example
The long hours at work were starting to drain her energy. [drain: verb]
Example
He used a sponge to soak up the excess water and drain it into the sink. [drain: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Drain is a more common word than scupper in everyday language. Drain is a versatile word that can be used in a wide range of contexts, while scupper is a more specialized term that is less commonly used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between scupper and drain?
Both scupper and drain are relatively informal words, but scupper may be considered slightly more informal due to its specialized usage in the context of boats and buildings.