What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
runoff
Example
The heavy rain caused a lot of runoff down the street. [runoff: noun]
Example
The cup was overflowing with coffee, and there was runoff on the table. [runoff: noun]
spillover
Example
Be careful not to spill the milk; there's already spillover on the counter. [spillover: noun]
Example
The economic growth in the city had a spillover effect on the surrounding towns. [spillover: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spillover is more commonly used than runoff in everyday language, as it has a broader range of applications beyond just water. Runoff is more specific and is often used in technical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between runoff and spillover?
Both runoff and spillover are relatively neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
