What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
spiral
Example
The staircase was a spiral design that wound its way up to the top floor. [spiral: adjective]
Example
The plane spiraled down towards the ground before crashing. [spiraled: past tense verb]
vortex
Example
The tornado created a vortex that sucked up everything in its path. [vortex: noun]
Example
The boat was caught in a vortex of water that spun it around in circles. [vortex: prepositional phrase]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spiral is more commonly used than vortex in everyday language. Spiral is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while vortex is more specific and often used in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between spiral and vortex?
Vortex is typically associated with a more formal tone due to its scientific or technical usage, while spiral can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
