What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
baw
Example
The baby bawled loudly when she fell and scraped her knee. [baw: verb]
Example
He let out a baw of frustration when he realized he had lost his wallet. [baw: noun]
bawl
Example
She bawled at her brother for breaking her favorite toy. [bawled: past tense verb]
Example
The coach bawled at the team for their poor performance. [bawled: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bawl is more commonly used than baw in everyday language. Bawl is a more widely recognized term and can be used in different situations, while baw is less commonly used and may be limited to specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between baw and bawl?
While bawl can be used in both formal and informal contexts, baw is generally considered more informal or childish in nature.