What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
supine
Example
The patient was lying supine on the hospital bed. [supine: adjective]
Example
She stretched her arms out in a supine position. [supine: noun]
Example
He remained supine while his friends did all the work. [supine: adjective]
recumbent
Example
The doctor asked the patient to lie recumbent on the examination table. [recumbent: adjective]
Example
She preferred to sleep in a recumbent position. [recumbent: noun]
Example
After a long day at work, he enjoyed spending time in a recumbent position on the couch. [recumbent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Recumbent is more commonly used than supine in everyday language. Recumbent is a versatile term that can be used in various contexts, while supine is more specific and is primarily used in medical or anatomical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between supine and recumbent?
Supine is a more formal term that is often used in technical or medical writing, while recumbent is a more casual term that is suitable for everyday language and informal writing.
