What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
genus
Example
The genus Canis includes wolves, coyotes, and domestic dogs. [genus: noun]
Example
Scientists have identified a new genus of bacteria that can survive extreme temperatures. [genus: noun]
clade
Example
Birds and crocodiles belong to the same clade because they share a common ancestor. [clade: noun]
Example
The phylogenetic tree shows the different clades of primates and their evolutionary relationships. [clades: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Genus is a more common term than clade and is widely used in zoology and botany. Clade is a more specialized term that is mainly used in evolutionary biology and systematics.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between genus and clade?
Both genus and clade are formal terms used in scientific contexts, but genus is more commonly used in everyday language and is more versatile in terms of formality level.
