What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
choky
Example
The smoke in the room made it feel choky and hard to breathe. [choky: adjective]
Example
She felt choky in the crowded elevator, surrounded by so many people. [choky: adjective]
suffocating
Example
The thick blanket was suffocating her, making it hard to breathe. [suffocating: verb]
Example
He found the crowded party suffocating and needed to step outside for some fresh air. [suffocating: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Suffocating is more commonly used than choky in everyday language. Suffocating is versatile and covers a wider range of contexts, while choky is less common and has a more limited application.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between choky and suffocating?
While choky is typically associated with a more informal and colloquial tone, suffocating can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be employed in various formality levels.