Cool MateDischarge vs Runoff
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Discharge
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Runoff
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Discharge
| Discharge | Runoff | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪsˈtʃɑːdʒ/","/dɪsˈtʃɑːdʒɪz/","/dɪsˈtʃɑːdʒd/","/dɪsˈtʃɑːdʒɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒ/","/dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒɪz/","/dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒd/","/dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈrʌn.ɒf//🇺🇸 //ˈrʌn.ɔf// |
| Meaning | To let go or release someone or something. | Water that flows over the ground instead of soaking into it. |
| Example | The hospital will discharge the patient tomorrow morning after the final checkup. | The heavy rain caused a large amount of runoff into the river. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | dishonourably/dishonorably, honourably/honorably, from, conditionally, formally, directly, from, into, fully, properly, faithfully, accidentally | manage runoff, prevent runoff, runoff pollution, excess runoff |
| Antonyms | charge, detain | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'charge' which means to accuse or demand payment., Using 'discharge' incorrectly for emotional release instead of physical or legal release., Mixing up the verb form with the noun form. | Confusing with 'run off', which means to leave quickly., Using 'runoff' in informal contexts where a simpler term might be better., Misunderstanding the environmental implications of 'runoff'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'discharge' when discussing the release of a duty, responsibility, or patient, especially in medical or legal contexts. Avoid in informal settings. | Used in environmental and scientific contexts. Not typically used in casual conversations. Be careful not to confuse it with 'run off'. |
Frequently asked questions: Discharge vs Runoff
What's the difference between Discharge and Runoff?
Discharge: To let go or release someone or something. Runoff: Water that flows over the ground instead of soaking into it.
Which is more common: Discharge and Runoff?
Discharge is the most common in everyday English.
Can I use Discharge and Runoff interchangeably?
Not always. Discharge and Runoff are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.