What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rufous
Example
The rufous hummingbird has a beautiful reddish-brown plumage. [rufous: adjective]
Example
The autumn leaves turn a lovely shade of rufous. [rufous: noun]
Example
Her rufous hair glimmered in the sunlight. [rufous: adjective]
auburn
Example
She dyed her hair a beautiful shade of auburn. [auburn: adjective]
Example
The auburn horse galloped across the field. [auburn: adjective]
Example
The auburn leaves rustled in the autumn breeze. [auburn: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Auburn is more commonly used than rufous in everyday language, especially when referring to hair color.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rufous and auburn?
Rufous is typically associated with a more formal or technical tone, while auburn can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
