What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
understory
Example
The understory of the forest was filled with ferns and wildflowers. [understory: noun]
Example
The birds nested in the understory of the trees. [understory: noun]
undergrowth
Example
The hikers had to cut their way through the undergrowth to reach the river. [undergrowth: noun]
Example
The forest was so dense with undergrowth that it was hard to see more than a few feet ahead. [undergrowth: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Undergrowth is more commonly used than understory in everyday language, as it is a more general term that can be applied to any dense growth of vegetation on the forest floor. Understory is a more technical term that is primarily used in discussions of forest ecology.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between understory and undergrowth?
Both understory and undergrowth are technical terms that are more likely to be used in formal or scientific contexts than in casual conversation.
