What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pleiotropic
Example
The pleiotropic gene affects both the color of the flower and the shape of the leaves. [pleiotropic: adjective]
Example
The new medication has pleiotropic effects, improving both blood pressure and cholesterol levels. [pleiotropic: adjective]
multifactorial
Example
The development of diabetes is often multifactorial, involving both genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors. [multifactorial: adjective]
Example
The researchers conducted a multifactorial analysis to determine the most significant predictors of heart disease. [multifactorial: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Multifactorial is more commonly used than pleiotropic in everyday language, particularly in medical and scientific contexts. Multifactorial is a versatile term that can be applied to various fields and phenomena, while pleiotropic is more specific to genetics and biology.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pleiotropic and multifactorial?
Both pleiotropic and multifactorial are formal terms that are primarily used in scientific and technical contexts. However, multifactorial is more versatile and can be used in various formality levels, while pleiotropic is more specialized and may be less familiar to non-experts.
