Cool MateDrain vs Empty vs Piss
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Drain
Top 1,000 (very common)C1verb
Empty
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Piss
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
| Drain | Empty | Piss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dreɪn/","/dreɪnz/","/dreɪnd/","/ˈdreɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dreɪn/","/dreɪnz/","/dreɪnd/","/ˈdreɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈempti/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈempti/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //pɪs//🇺🇸 //pɪs// |
| Meaning | To remove liquid or to take away energy. | Having nothing inside it. | to urinate |
| Example | Please drain the pasta before serving it. | The box was empty, so I decided to fill it with toys. | I really need to piss before the movie starts. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | adjective | |
| Collocations | thoroughly, well, poorly, out of, thoroughly, well, poorly, out of, completely, totally, utterly, of, out of, be drained, feel drained | appear, be, feel, completely, entirely, quite, of, appear, be, feel, completely, entirely, quite, of | piss off, piss and moan, piss drunk |
| Antonyms | fill, flow | full, occupied, loaded | conserve, hold |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'rain' when spoken., Using as a noun without clarification, e.g. 'the drain' without context., Mixing up with 'drain away' which emphasizes gradual removal. | Using 'emptied' instead of 'empty' for describing a current state., Saying 'an emptyness' instead of 'emptiness' when referring to the state of being empty. | Confused with 'pass' when talking about urine., Overuse in polite company can be vulgar., Using as a verb without an object incorrectly. |
| Usage notes | Use 'drain' when talking about removing liquid from something, like a sink. It's also used metaphorically to express exhaustion or loss of energy. Avoid in highly formal contexts. | Use 'empty' to describe physical spaces, containers, or feelings. It may not be appropriate for formal writing when referring to more abstract concepts like 'empty promises'. | Informal and vulgar term for urination, often used in casual contexts. Avoid in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Drain vs Empty vs Piss
What's the difference between Drain, Empty, and Piss?
Drain: To remove liquid or to take away energy. Empty: Having nothing inside it. Piss: to urinate
Which is more advanced: Drain, Empty, and Piss?
Drain is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Drain: Please drain the pasta before serving it. Empty: The box was empty, so I decided to fill it with toys. Piss: I really need to piss before the movie starts.
Can I use Drain, Empty, and Piss interchangeably?
Not always. Drain, Empty, and Piss 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.