What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cline
Example
The temperature on the mountain cline from hot at the base to cold at the summit. [cline: verb]
Example
There is a cline of opinions on the topic, ranging from strong agreement to strong disagreement. [cline: noun]
spectrum
Example
The political spectrum includes a range of ideologies from left to right. [spectrum: noun]
Example
The rainbow displays a spectrum of colors, from red to violet. [spectrum: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spectrum is more commonly used than cline in everyday language. Spectrum is a versatile word that can be applied to a wide variety of contexts, while cline is more specific and tends to be used in more specialized or technical discussions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cline and spectrum?
While cline is typically associated with scientific or technical language, spectrum can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Spectrum is a more common and widely understood term, making it suitable for a range of situations.