What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
capriciously
Example
She capriciously changed her mind about going to the party at the last minute. [capriciously: adverb]
Example
The weather can be capricious in this region, with sudden changes from sunny to rainy. [capricious: adjective]
whimsically
Example
The artist whimsically painted colorful patterns on the walls of her studio. [whimsically: adverb]
Example
He had a whimsical idea to build a treehouse in his backyard. [whimsical: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Whimsically is more commonly used than capriciously in everyday language. Whimsically is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while capriciously is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between capriciously and whimsically?
Both capriciously and whimsically are informal words that are suitable for casual conversations or creative writing. However, capriciously may sound slightly more formal due to its less frequent usage.