What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
kinematic
Example
The kinematic equations describe the motion of objects in terms of displacement, velocity, and acceleration. [kinematic: adjective]
Example
Kinematics is a branch of mechanics that deals with the motion of objects without considering the forces that cause the motion. [kinematics: noun]
kinetic
Example
The kinetic energy of an object is the energy it possesses due to its motion. [kinetic: adjective]
Example
Kinetics is the study of the relationship between force and motion. [kinetics: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Kinetic is more commonly used than kinematic in everyday language. Kinetic is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while kinematic is less common and typically used in technical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between kinematic and kinetic?
Both kinematic and kinetic are formal words that are commonly used in academic or technical writing. However, kinematic may be considered more technical and specialized than kinetic.
