Climactic or Climatic?

by Craig Shrives

What Is the Difference between "Climactic" and "Climatic"?

"Climactic" and "climatic" are easy to confuse because they sound so similar.
  • "Climactic" means final, ultimate, or concluding. It comes from "climax," so carries the connotation of "the highest point." For example:
    • It is a climactic ending to the film.
    • We are nearing the climactic events that end with the Second Coming of Christ. (Evangelist Hal Lindsey)
  • "Climatic" means relating to the climate. For example:
    • Tree growth is mostly determined by climatic events.
    • On Earth, we still have a beautiful atmosphere that precisely maintains a thermally driven climatic system that shelters, shields, and sustains our natural treasures. (US politician Jay Inslee)
climactic or climatic?

More about "Climactic" and "Climatic"

Climactic

The adjective "climactic" derives from the noun "climax." It pertains to a peak, a decisive moment, or the point of greatest tension.

Example sentences with "climactic":
  • In the climactic scene of the movie, the aliens emerge from the capsule and start zapping the onlookers. correct tick
  • Who would have thought that the season would have ended in such a climactic way? correct tick

Climatic

The adjective "climatic" derives from the noun "climate." It usually pertains to the weather.

Example sentences with "climatic":
  • Climatic change is defined as the long-term significant change in the expected patterns of weather. correct tick
  • His assessment of the eco-climatic system over Africa is based solely on satellite data. correct tick

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See Also

adverse or averse? affect or effect? Ms., Miss, or Mrs? avenge or revenge? bare or bear? complement or compliment? dependant or dependent? discreet or discrete? disinterested or uninterested? e.g. or i.e.? envy or jealousy? imply or infer? its or it's? material or materiel? poisonous or venomous? practice or practise? principal or principle? pled guilty or pleaded guilty? who's or whose? What are adjectives? lasagna or lasagne? List of easily confused words