What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
boohoo
Example
She boohooed loudly when she found out her favorite toy was broken. [boohoo: verb]
Example
The child's boohoos could be heard throughout the entire house. [boohoos: noun]
bawl
Example
The baby bawled all night because he was hungry. [bawled: past tense]
Example
She couldn't help but bawl when she received the sad news. [bawl: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bawl is more commonly used than boohoo in everyday language. Bawl is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while boohoo is less common and tends to be used in more informal or playful situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between boohoo and bawl?
While boohoo is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, bawl can be employed in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to express strong emotions in a more serious manner.