What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tubercle
Example
The humerus has a tubercle where the deltoid muscle attaches. [tubercle: noun]
Example
The tomato plant has small tubercles on its stem. [tubercles: plural noun]
protuberance
Example
The protuberance on the wall made it difficult to hang the picture straight. [protuberance: noun]
Example
The hiker noticed a protuberance on his ankle after twisting it on the trail. [protuberance: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Protuberance is more commonly used than tubercle in everyday language. Protuberance is a versatile word that can be used in a variety of contexts, while tubercle is more specialized and often used in medical or technical language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tubercle and protuberance?
Tubercle is typically associated with a more formal or technical tone, while protuberance can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
