What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
homozygous
Example
The offspring were homozygous for the recessive trait. [homozygous: adjective]
Example
The plant was homozygous for the tall gene. [homozygous: adjective]
purebred
Example
The dog was a purebred German Shepherd. [purebred: adjective]
Example
The farmer raised purebred chickens for their unique characteristics. [purebred: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Purebred is more commonly used than homozygous in everyday language, especially in the context of animal breeding and ownership.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between homozygous and purebred?
Homozygous is typically used in scientific and technical contexts, making it more formal than purebred, which is used in a wider range of contexts and registers.
