What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ectothermic
Example
Reptiles are ectothermic animals that bask in the sun to regulate their body temperature. [ectothermic: adjective]
Example
Ectothermic animals have a lower metabolic rate than endothermic animals. [ectothermic: adjective]
poikilothermic
Example
Fish are poikilothermic animals that adjust their metabolism to match the temperature of the water. [poikilothermic: adjective]
Example
Poikilothermic animals are more susceptible to changes in their environment than endothermic animals. [poikilothermic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ectothermic is more commonly used than poikilothermic in scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ectothermic and poikilothermic?
Both words are formal and scientific in nature, and are not commonly used in everyday language.
