What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nictitant
Example
The nictitant membrane in cats helps protect their eyes from dust and debris. [nictitant: adjective]
Example
He had a nervous habit of nictitating his eyes during conversations. [nictitating: verb]
blinking
Example
The bright light made her start blinking uncontrollably. [blinking: present participle]
Example
He blinked rapidly to clear his vision after rubbing his eyes. [blinked: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Blinking is a more commonly used word than nictitant in everyday language. Blinking is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while nictitant is less common and is more likely to be used in technical or medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nictitant and blinking?
Nictitant is a more formal or technical term than blinking. While blinking can be used in both formal and informal contexts, nictitant is more likely to be used in technical or medical writing.
