What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
suborbital
Example
The suborbital flight lasted only a few minutes before returning to Earth. [suborbital: adjective]
Example
The company plans to offer suborbital space tourism flights in the near future. [suborbital: adjective]
parabolic
Example
The plane flew in a parabolic arc to create a zero-gravity environment. [parabolic: adjective]
Example
The rollercoaster had a parabolic drop that made riders feel like they were flying. [parabolic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Suborbital is a more common term in the context of space travel and exploration, while parabolic is more commonly used in physics and engineering contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between suborbital and parabolic?
Both suborbital and parabolic are technical terms and are generally used in formal contexts, such as scientific research or engineering discussions.
