What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rarefaction
Example
The rarefaction of air in the tire caused it to burst. [rarefaction: noun]
Example
The sound waves undergo rarefaction as they travel through the air. [rarefaction: verb]
dilution
Example
We need to dilute the bleach before using it to clean the floors. [dilute: verb]
Example
The flavor of the soup was ruined by the dilution caused by adding too much water. [dilution: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dilution is more commonly used than rarefaction in everyday language and covers a wider range of contexts. Dilution is used in chemistry, biology, and other fields to describe the process of reducing the concentration of a solution or the strength of a substance, while rarefaction is more specific to scientific contexts such as physics and acoustics.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rarefaction and dilution?
Both rarefaction and dilution are formal words that are typically used in scientific contexts. However, dilution is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while rarefaction is less common and may be considered more technical or specialized.
