What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ellipse
Example
The Earth's orbit around the sun is an ellipse. [ellipse: noun]
Example
The artist drew an ellipse to represent the shape of the moon. [ellipse: noun]
ellipsoid
Example
The Earth is an ellipsoid, not a perfect sphere. [ellipsoid: noun]
Example
The scientist used an ellipsoid model to calculate the volume of the asteroid. [ellipsoid: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ellipse is more commonly used than ellipsoid in everyday language. Ellipse is a basic geometric shape that is taught in elementary school, while ellipsoid is a more advanced concept that is typically used in scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ellipse and ellipsoid?
Ellipsoid is a more formal term than ellipse. It is commonly used in scientific and technical contexts, while ellipse can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
