What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shed
Example
The dog is shedding its winter coat. [shed: verb]
Example
She shed a few tears when she heard the news. [shed: verb]
Example
The farmer built a shed to store his tools and equipment. [shed: noun]
discard
Example
I need to discard these old clothes that don't fit anymore. [discard: verb]
Example
He discarded the idea of going on vacation this year. [discard: verb]
Example
The company decided to discard the proposal due to budget constraints. [discard: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Discard is more commonly used than shed in everyday language, especially in the context of throwing away physical objects. Shed is less common and is usually used in the context of natural processes or structures.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between shed and discard?
Both shed and discard can be used in formal and informal contexts, but discard may be more appropriate in formal writing due to its more precise and direct meaning.
