What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
trowel
Example
The mason used a trowel to apply the mortar to the bricks. [trowel: noun]
Example
She troweled the soil to create a level surface for planting. [troweled: past tense verb]
spatula
Example
He used a spatula to flip the pancakes over. [spatula: noun]
Example
She spatulaed the frosting onto the cake. [spatulaed: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spatula is more commonly used than trowel in everyday language. Spatula is a versatile tool used in various cooking and baking contexts, while trowel is less common and mainly used in gardening or masonry work.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between trowel and spatula?
While trowel is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, spatula can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
