What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stem
Example
The stem of the rose is green and thorny. [stem: noun]
Example
The word 'unbelievable' can be stemmed to 'believe.' [stemmed: verb]
Example
The stem of the wine glass is long and slender. [stem: noun]
trunk
Example
The trunk of the oak tree was thick and sturdy. [trunk: noun]
Example
We put our suitcases in the trunk of the car. [trunk: noun]
Example
The elephant used its trunk to pick up the banana. [trunk: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Trunk is more commonly used than stem in everyday language. Trunk has a wider range of applications, including trees, cars, and animals, while stem is more specific to plants and linguistics.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stem and trunk?
Both stem and trunk can be used in formal and informal contexts, but stem may be more formal due to its association with scientific terminology and linguistics.
