What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
splinter
Example
Be careful not to get a splinter from that old fence. [splinter: noun]
Example
I had to remove a splinter from my finger with tweezers. [splinter: noun]
Example
The political party splintered into several smaller groups. [splinter: verb]
chip
Example
I ate a bag of potato chips for lunch. [chip: noun]
Example
I chipped my tooth on a popcorn kernel. [chipped: past tense verb]
Example
Can you chip off a piece of that rock for me? [chip: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Chip is more commonly used than splinter in everyday language, due to its versatility and wide range of contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between splinter and chip?
Both splinter and chip are relatively informal words, but splinter may be slightly more formal due to its association with wood and natural materials.
