What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cumbent
Example
The cumbent stems of the strawberry plants spread out along the ground. [cumbent: adjective]
Example
She lay cumbent on the sofa, reading her book. [cumbent: adjective]
Example
The cumbent posture of the patient indicated that he was resting comfortably. [cumbent: noun]
recumbent
Example
The recumbent figure of the cat was curled up on the windowsill. [recumbent: adjective]
Example
He preferred a recumbent position while watching TV. [recumbent: adjective]
Example
The hospital bed had a recumbent feature that allowed the patient to adjust their position. [recumbent: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Recumbent is more commonly used than cumbent in everyday language. Recumbent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while cumbent is less common and refers mainly to botanical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cumbent and recumbent?
Both cumbent and recumbent are formal words, but recumbent is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
