What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deciduous
Example
The deciduous trees in the park look beautiful in the fall. [deciduous: adjective]
Example
My daughter lost her last deciduous tooth yesterday. [deciduous: adjective]
Example
The male deer's deciduous antlers fell off in the winter. [deciduous: adjective]
caducous
Example
The caducous petals of the flower fell off after only a few days. [caducous: adjective]
Example
The tadpole's caducous tail was absorbed as it transformed into a frog. [caducous: adjective]
Example
The snake's caducous skin was left behind after it shed its old skin. [caducous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deciduous is more common than caducous in everyday language, as it is used to describe a wider range of familiar objects such as trees and teeth. Caducous is more commonly used in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deciduous and caducous?
Caducous is more formal than deciduous, as it is less commonly used in everyday language and is more often used in scientific or technical contexts.
