What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hyphae
Example
The hyphae of the fungus spread rapidly through the soil. [hyphae: noun]
Example
The mycelium is made up of a network of hyphae that extend underground. [hyphae: plural noun]
filament
Example
The filament of the light bulb broke and needed to be replaced. [filament: noun]
Example
The spider used its silk filaments to create a web. [filament: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Filament is more commonly used than hyphae in everyday language due to its broader usage. Hyphae is a term primarily used in biology and mycology.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hyphae and filament?
Both hyphae and filament are technical terms and are typically used in formal or scientific contexts.
