What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dorsiventral
Example
The fish has a dorsiventral body shape, with its back and belly sides being distinct. [dorsiventral: adjective]
Example
The dorsiventral leaf of the plant has a thick upper surface and a thin lower surface. [dorsiventral: adjective]
bilateral
Example
The bilateral symmetry of the butterfly allows it to fly in a straight line. [bilateral: adjective]
Example
The human body has bilateral symmetry, with the left and right sides being mirror images of each other. [bilateral: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bilateral is more commonly used than dorsiventral in everyday language. Bilateral is a versatile term that can be applied to various contexts, while dorsiventral is a more specialized term that is mainly used in scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dorsiventral and bilateral?
Both dorsiventral and bilateral are formal terms that are mainly used in scientific contexts. However, bilateral is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
