What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
accouplement
Example
The accouplement of the birds was a beautiful sight to see. [accouplement: noun]
Example
The gears require proper accouplement to function correctly. [accouplement: noun]
copulation
Example
The study focused on the copulation behavior of primates. [copulation: noun]
Example
The book contained explicit descriptions of copulation scenes. [copulation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Copulation is a more common term in scientific or medical contexts, while accouplement is less common and more specialized.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between accouplement and copulation?
Copulation is a more formal and technical term than accouplement, often used in academic or medical contexts. Accouplement is a more neutral term that can be used in a scientific or technical context, but is less formal in nature.