What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shorn
Example
The sheep were shorn in the springtime. [shorn: past participle]
Example
I got my hair shorn at the salon yesterday. [shorn: adjective]
Example
The hedges were shorn to keep them neat and tidy. [shorn: verb]
sheared
Example
The farmer sheared the sheep before winter. [sheared: past tense]
Example
The dog was sheared to keep its fur from getting too long. [sheared: past participle]
Example
He sheared off a piece of metal from the sheet. [sheared: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sheared is more commonly used than shorn in everyday language, especially in the context of cutting wool from sheep.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between shorn and sheared?
Both shorn and sheared are relatively formal words, but sheared may be more commonly used in technical or industrial contexts due to its association with cutting metal or other materials.
