What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tabanid
Example
The tabanids were particularly bothersome during our camping trip. [tabanids: plural noun]
Example
The horse was constantly swishing its tail to ward off the tabanids. [tabanids: singular noun]
horsefly
Example
The horsefly bite left a painful welt on my arm. [horsefly: noun]
Example
We could hear the buzzing of the horseflies as we approached the river. [horseflies: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Horsefly is more commonly used than tabanid in everyday language. Horsefly is a more general term that covers a wider range of species, while tabanid is a more specific term that refers to a particular family of biting flies.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tabanid and horsefly?
Both tabanid and horsefly are formal terms that are typically used in scientific or technical contexts, such as in biology or veterinary medicine.
