What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
photophilic
Example
The plant is photophilic and requires direct sunlight to grow. [photophilic: adjective]
Example
The dye is photophilic and reacts to light by changing color. [photophilic: adjective]
Example
She's quite photophilic and always sits near the window to read. [photophilic: adjective]
heliotropic
Example
The sunflower is heliotropic and follows the sun's path throughout the day. [heliotropic: adjective]
Example
The leaves of the plant are heliotropic and turn towards the sun for optimal growth. [heliotropic: adjective]
Example
We planned our hike to be heliotropic, starting early in the morning to avoid the midday sun. [heliotropic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Photophilic and heliotropic are both technical terms that are not commonly used in everyday language. However, photophilic is more commonly used in scientific contexts to describe the behavior of organisms or materials in response to light.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between photophilic and heliotropic?
Both photophilic and heliotropic are technical terms that are more formal in nature and are mainly used in scientific or academic contexts.
