'Dunk' and 'dip' equally used in everyday English?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Mehrgan

Key Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2009
Member Type
Other
Native Language
Persian
Home Country
Iran
Current Location
Iran
Hi there,
I would be so thankful if you could kindly tell me if either is more commonly used in everyday English.
 

Rover_KE

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
England
It depends on the context.

I dunk my bread in my soup or dip my bread in the flavoured oil.

I dunk my biscuit in my tea and dip my toe in the bathwater.
 

Raymott

VIP Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
English
Home Country
Australia
Current Location
Australia
You can (slam) dunk a basketball, but you can't dip it (to my knowledge).
You can go for a dip in the ocean, but not a dunk.

Taking your question on its face value, 'dip' is a more common word than 'dunk', since it has more uses.
If inserting a piece of food into liquid is your context, I'd guess maybe 'dunk', at least in Aus.
 

Mehrgan

Key Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2009
Member Type
Other
Native Language
Persian
Home Country
Iran
Current Location
Iran
So informative. Thanks to you both!
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
But you can dunk your own (or someone else's) head under the water while you're taking a dip.
 

BobK

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 29, 2006
Location
Spencers Wood, near Reading, UK
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
:up: - which is another difference: dip can be a noun, meaning swim (the bathing sort).

b
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top