Definitions
- Describing the flow of water from rain or melting snow that does not get absorbed into the ground. - Referring to the excess liquid that drains off from a surface or container. - Talking about the result of an election where no candidate receives a majority of votes, and a second round of voting is required.
- Describing the overflow of a liquid from a container or surface. - Referring to the transfer of effects or influence from one situation or group to another. - Talking about the unintended consequences of an action or policy that affects others outside the intended target.
List of Similarities
- 1Both involve the movement of a liquid beyond its intended location.
- 2Both can have unintended consequences.
- 3Both can be used metaphorically to describe the transfer of effects or influence from one situation to another.
What is the difference?
- 1Cause: Runoff is caused by gravity and the inability of the ground to absorb all the water, while spillover is caused by overfilling or overflow.
- 2Type of liquid: Runoff typically refers to water, while spillover can refer to any liquid.
- 3Direction: Runoff flows downward, while spillover can occur in any direction.
- 4Intention: Runoff is usually unintentional, while spillover can be intentional or unintentional.
- 5Connotation: Runoff can have negative connotations, such as pollution or waste, while spillover can have positive connotations, such as the spread of benefits or opportunities.
Remember this!
Runoff and spillover are both words that describe the movement of a liquid beyond its intended location. However, runoff is typically used to describe the flow of water that does not get absorbed into the ground or the excess liquid that drains off from a surface or container. On the other hand, spillover is used more broadly to describe the transfer of effects or influence from one situation or group to another, whether intentional or unintentional.
