What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
parallel
Example
The train tracks run parallel to the highway. [parallel: adjective]
Example
The two stories have parallel themes. [parallel: noun]
Example
Her career and personal life were running parallel to each other. [parallel: adverb]
coextensive
Example
The city limits are coextensive with the county borders. [coextensive: adjective]
Example
The terms of the contract are coextensive with the length of the project. [coextensive: adjective]
Example
The history of the country is coextensive with the history of its people. [coextensive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Parallel is a more commonly used word than coextensive in everyday language. Parallel is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while coextensive is more technical in nature and is typically used in specific fields such as mathematics, law, or philosophy.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between parallel and coextensive?
Coextensive is a more formal word than parallel. It is often used in technical or academic writing, while parallel can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
