What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
columniform
Example
The cactus had a columniform shape, with a tall and cylindrical stem. [columniform: adjective]
Example
The building had a columniform design, with tall and slender pillars supporting the structure. [columniform: adjective]
columnar
Example
The office building had a columnar architecture, with tall and rectangular windows. [columnar: adjective]
Example
The columnar epithelium lines the digestive tract, with tall and narrow cells forming a column-like structure. [columnar: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Columnar is more commonly used than columniform in specialized fields such as architecture and biology. Columnar is a technical term that is frequently used to describe specific structures and arrangements, while columniform is less common and has a broader application.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between columniform and columnar?
Both columniform and columnar are formal words that are typically used in specialized fields. However, columnar is more commonly used in technical and scientific contexts, making it slightly more formal than columniform.