What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sooty
Example
The chimney sweep emerged from the fireplace, his face and clothes covered in soot. [sooty: adjective]
Example
The walls of the old house were sooty from years of using coal for heating. [sooty: adjective]
dirty
Example
The children came home from playing outside with dirty hands and faces. [dirty: adjective]
Example
The kitchen was dirty and needed a good cleaning. [dirty: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dirty is a more common word than sooty in everyday language. Dirty is a versatile word that can be used in many contexts, while sooty is less common and is typically used in more specific situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between sooty and dirty?
While sooty can have a more technical and formal connotation, dirty is a more casual and informal term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
