What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
undulate
Example
The wheat fields undulated in the breeze. [undulated: past tense]
Example
The dancer's body undulated gracefully to the music. [undulate: verb]
wave
Example
The waves crashed against the shore. [waves: noun]
Example
She waved goodbye as the train pulled out of the station. [waved: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wave is more commonly used than undulate in everyday language. Wave is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while undulate is less common and tends to be used in more specific contexts, such as describing the movement of water or fabric.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between undulate and wave?
While wave is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, undulate can be used in more formal contexts due to its elegant connotation.
