“Vortex” has two accepted plurals: the regular English “vortexes” and the Latin-derived “vortices.” Current dictionary evidence supports both, so use context or house style rather than treating one form as universally correct.
ReviewedEvidence1 sourceSectionEnglish Usage
Quick answer
Both “vortexes” and “vortices” are accepted plurals of “vortex.”
Key details
Confusion Familycompeting plural forms
Rule Familyaccepted plural variants
Termsvortex, vortexes, vortices
Variant ScopeBoth forms are supported across the noun; this guide does not invent a technical/general split not stated by the source.
Choose the right form
Decision table for Plural of Vortex
Meaning / situation
Form / construction
Decision
one rotating mass/situation
vortex
Singular.
more than one
vortexes
Accepted plural.
more than one
vortices
Also accepted plural.
Quick tests
Plural-choice test
Are you naming more than one vortex?
If yes: Use “vortexes” or “vortices.”
If no: Use singular “vortex.”
Caveat: A technical publication may have a local preference; follow it only when it is actually established.
Examples
Example
Two vortices formed behind the wing.
“Vortices” is accepted.
Example
Several vortexes appeared in the simulation.
“Vortexes” is also accepted.
Example
A vortex formed near the outlet.
One takes singular “vortex.”
Further guidance
Core difference
Use either “vortexes” or “vortices” for more than one vortex.
Fast Test
Match an established form in the document; otherwise either accepted plural is defensible.
Usage Boundary
Do not label one accepted plural wrong solely because the other is more familiar to you.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
“Addendum” has two current dictionary-recorded plurals: “addenda” and “addendums.” Cambridge foregrounds “addenda,” while Merriam-Webster also records “addendums,” so a writer can use either accepted form unless a house style requires one.
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“Cactus” has two accepted plurals in current dictionary treatment: the Latin-derived “cacti” and the regular English “cactuses.” Neither needs to be rejected as automatically incorrect; consistency and house style can guide the choice.
“Corpus” retains both a Latin-derived plural, “corpora,” and an English plural, “corpuses.” Authoritative dictionaries recognize both. In technical corpus-linguistics contexts, “corpora” is especially familiar, but the grammar does not make “corpuses” incorrect.
“Memorandum” has two current dictionary-recorded plurals: the Latin-derived “memoranda” and regular English “memorandums.” Both appear in business and formal contexts, so the grammar does not require “memoranda” merely because the document is legal or professional.
