What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
winnowed
Example
The farmer winnowed the wheat to separate the grain from the chaff. [winnowed: past tense]
Example
She winnowed down the list of job applicants to the top three candidates. [winnowed: past participle]
sifted
Example
She sifted the flour to remove any lumps. [sifted: past tense]
Example
He sifted through the evidence to find the key piece of information. [sifted: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sifted is more commonly used than winnowed in everyday language. Sifted is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while winnowed is less common and refers to a specific process of separating grain from chaff.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between winnowed and sifted?
Both winnowed and sifted are formal words that are typically used in professional or technical contexts, such as agriculture, food processing, or scientific research.
