Sift: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when you want to separate fine particles from larger ones, often in baking or to find something specific by examining all elements carefully.

• Sift the flour to remove any lumps.
• The police will sift through the evidence to find clues.

Apply when you want to remove unwanted materials or impurities from a mixture, commonly used in both literal and figurative senses.

• You need to filter the water before drinking it.
• She struggled to filter out the noise in the café to focus on her study.

Appropriate when you want to examine something for specific qualities or to protect from unwanted elements. Often used in medical or security contexts.

• All passengers must be screened for dangerous items before boarding the plane.
• The students were screened for learning disabilities.

Best used when you need to remove solid particles from liquid by pouring through a mesh or cloth. Can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation of effort or difficulty.

• Strain the pasta after boiling it.
• She had to strain the fruit juice to remove the seeds.