What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vibrissa
Example
The cat's vibrissae twitched as it sniffed the air. [vibrissae: plural noun]
Example
The seal uses its vibrissae to detect prey in murky waters. [vibrissae: plural noun]
bristle
Example
The boar's bristles stood up as it prepared to charge. [bristles: plural noun]
Example
She swept the floor with a broom whose bristles were worn down. [bristles: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bristle is more commonly used than vibrissa in everyday language. Bristle is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while vibrissa is less common and refers to a specific type of hair-like structure found on animals.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vibrissa and bristle?
Both vibrissa and bristle are relatively formal words, but vibrissa may be considered more technical or scientific due to its specific usage in animal anatomy.
