What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
screes
Example
The hiker struggled to climb the screes without slipping. [screes: noun]
Example
The screes made the descent treacherous and slow-going. [screes: adjective]
talus
Example
The talus provided a challenging but rewarding climb for the experienced mountaineer. [talus: noun]
Example
The talus slope was treacherous and required careful footing. [talus: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Talus is more commonly used in American English, while screes is more commonly used in British English. Both words are relatively uncommon and may not be familiar to beginner ESL learners.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between screes and talus?
Both screes and talus are technical terms used primarily in geology and mountaineering contexts. As such, they are more formal and less commonly used in everyday language.
