What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
seism
Example
The seism was so strong that it caused buildings to collapse. [seism: noun]
Example
Scientists use seismographs to measure and study seisms. [seisms: plural noun]
earthquake
Example
The earthquake was so strong that it triggered a tsunami. [earthquake: noun]
Example
The scientists are studying the data from the earthquake to better understand its causes. [earthquake: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Earthquake is more commonly used than seism in everyday language. Earthquake is a versatile term that can be used to describe a wide range of seismic events, while seism is less commonly used and is typically associated with scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between seism and earthquake?
Seism is a more technical term that is typically used in scientific contexts, making it more formal than earthquake, which is a more general term used in everyday language.
