What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
raceme
Example
The lilac flowers were arranged in a beautiful raceme. [raceme: noun]
Example
The plant produces a raceme of small white flowers in the spring. [raceme: noun]
spike
Example
The plant produces a spike of purple flowers in the summer. [spike: noun]
Example
She used a spike to make holes in the soil for planting seeds. [spike: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spike is more commonly used than raceme in everyday language, as it has a wider range of uses beyond botanical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between raceme and spike?
Both raceme and spike are technical terms from botanical vocabulary and are therefore considered formal words. However, spike may be used in more informal contexts due to its wider range of uses.
