What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
caw
Example
I woke up to the cawing of crows outside my window. [cawing: present participle]
Example
The caw of the crow echoed through the forest. [caw: noun]
croak
Example
We could hear the frogs croaking in the pond at night. [croaking: present participle]
Example
The loud croak of the bullfrog filled the air. [croak: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Caw is more commonly used than croak in everyday language. Crows are more commonly encountered than frogs, and their distinctive sound has become more familiar to people.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between caw and croak?
Both caw and croak are informal words. They are typically used in casual conversations or when describing the sounds made by animals in a relaxed setting.
