What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stairlike
Example
The mountain path was steep and stairlike, making it difficult to climb. [stairlike: adjective]
Example
The graph showed a stairlike pattern, with sudden increases followed by plateaus. [stairlike: adjective]
steplike
Example
The terrain was steplike, with flat areas interspersed with small hills. [steplike: adjective]
Example
The dance routine involved a series of steplike movements, with the dancers moving up and down on the stage. [steplike: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Steplike is more commonly used than stairlike in everyday language. Steplike is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while stairlike is less common and refers to a more specific type of structure or pattern.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stairlike and steplike?
Stairlike has a more formal connotation than steplike, which is more casual and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.