What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fretfulness
Example
Her fretfulness about the upcoming exam was evident in her behavior. [fretfulness: noun]
Example
He was feeling fretful and couldn't seem to relax. [fretful: adjective]
irritability
Example
His irritability was getting worse as the day went on. [irritability: noun]
Example
She was feeling irritable and snapped at her friend for no reason. [irritable: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Irritability is more commonly used than fretfulness in everyday language. Irritability is a common symptom of various mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, and is also a common emotion experienced by many people. Fretfulness, on the other hand, is less common and may be used in more formal or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fretfulness and irritability?
Both fretfulness and irritability can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but fretfulness may be more commonly used in formal or literary contexts due to its less common usage in everyday language.
