What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
heat
Example
The heat from the sun was unbearable. [heat: noun]
Example
We need to apply heat to the metal to shape it. [heat: verb]
Example
The competition between the two teams was heating up. [heating up: phrasal verb]
temperature
Example
The temperature outside is below freezing. [temperature: noun]
Example
The doctor checked my temperature and said I had a fever. [temperature: noun]
Example
The boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celsius at standard atmospheric pressure. [temperature: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Temperature is more commonly used than heat in everyday language. Temperature is a more specific and precise term that is used in various contexts, such as weather reports, cooking, and science. Heat is less common and is usually used in specific contexts, such as thermodynamics, metallurgy, or cooking.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between heat and temperature?
Heat is often associated with technical or scientific language, while temperature is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
