What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
estivation
Example
The snails went into estivation to survive the hot and dry summer. [estivation: noun]
Example
Some reptiles undergo estivation to avoid dehydration during the dry season. [estivating: present participle]
dormancy
Example
The seeds remained dormant until the right conditions for germination were met. [dormant: adjective]
Example
Bears go into dormancy during the winter months to conserve energy. [dormancy: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dormancy is more commonly used than estivation in everyday language. Dormancy is a broader term that covers a wider range of contexts and is observed in both plants and animals. Estivation, on the other hand, is a more specific term that is primarily used in the context of animal behavior.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between estivation and dormancy?
Both estivation and dormancy are formal terms that are more likely to be used in scientific or academic contexts than in everyday conversation.
