What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
halfmoon
Example
The sky was dark, but the halfmoon shone brightly. [halfmoon: noun]
Example
I struggle with the halfmoon pose in yoga. [halfmoon: noun]
Example
I love the taste of those chocolate halfmoon cookies. [halfmoon: adjective]
semicircle
Example
The garden was designed with a semicircle of benches around the fountain. [semicircle: noun]
Example
Use the semicircle protractor to measure the angle of the corner. [semicircle: adjective]
Example
The students sat in a semicircle around the teacher for the discussion. [semicircle: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Semicircle is more commonly used than halfmoon in technical or mathematical contexts, while halfmoon is more commonly used in everyday language to describe the shape of the moon or objects that resemble it.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between halfmoon and semicircle?
Semicircle is more formal than halfmoon, as it is primarily used in technical or mathematical contexts.
