What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
congener
Example
The congener of benzene is toluene. [congener: noun]
Example
The congener content of this wine is high, which gives it a strong flavor and aroma. [congener: adjective]
Example
This species is a congener of the common house cat. [congener: noun]
homologue
Example
The homologue of ethane is propane. [homologue: noun]
Example
The human insulin gene has a homologue in mice. [homologue: noun]
Example
This enzyme has several homologues that perform similar functions in different organisms. [homologues: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Homologue is more commonly used than congener in scientific and technical contexts, especially in chemistry and biology. Congener is less common and is mainly used in the context of alcoholic beverages.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between congener and homologue?
Both congener and homologue are formal words that are typically used in scientific and technical writing. However, homologue is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while congener is more limited in its usage.
