What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
height
Example
The height of the tree was impressive. [height: noun]
Example
She reached her full height at the age of 16. [height: noun]
Example
The excitement reached new heights during the concert. [height: noun]
altitude
Example
The airplane climbed to an altitude of 30,000 feet. [altitude: noun]
Example
The pilot adjusted the altitude to avoid turbulence. [altitude: noun]
Example
The star's altitude was measured using a telescope. [altitude: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Height is more common in everyday language than altitude, which is more commonly used in scientific and technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between height and altitude?
Altitude is generally considered more formal than height, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
