What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
polytopic
Example
The polytopic protein has several binding sites for different substrates. [polytopic: adjective]
Example
The meeting was polytopic, covering various issues and concerns. [polytopic: adjective]
multivalent
Example
The multivalent cation has several positive charges. [multivalent: adjective]
Example
The multivalent antibody can recognize and bind to multiple antigens. [multivalent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Multivalent is more commonly used than polytopic in scientific contexts, especially in chemistry and immunology.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between polytopic and multivalent?
Both polytopic and multivalent are technical terms that are more likely to be used in formal or academic writing than in everyday language.