What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
melanoid
Example
The melanoid snake blended perfectly with the dark soil. [melanoid: adjective]
Example
The melanoid mutation caused the bird's feathers to turn black. [melanoid: noun]
melanistic
Example
The melanistic jaguar was almost invisible in the shadows. [melanistic: adjective]
Example
The melanistic mutation caused the rabbit's fur to turn black. [melanistic: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Melanistic is more commonly used than melanoid in everyday language, especially in the context of describing dark coloration in animals.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between melanoid and melanistic?
Both melanoid and melanistic are technical terms used in biology and zoology, making them more formal in tone than everyday language.
