What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sprinkle
Example
She sprinkled some salt on the fries. [sprinkled: past tense]
Example
The chef sprinkled some herbs over the pasta. [sprinkled: verb]
strew
Example
The wind strewed the leaves all over the yard. [strewed: past tense]
Example
She strewed her clothes all over the room. [strewed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sprinkle is more commonly used than strew in everyday language, especially in cooking and food-related contexts. Strew is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations, such as describing a chaotic or disorganized scene.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sprinkle and strew?
Both sprinkle and strew are relatively informal words, but sprinkle may be slightly more formal due to its association with cooking and food preparation.