What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
heck
Example
What the heck is going on here? [heck: noun]
Example
Heck, I didn't even know that was possible! [heck: interjection]
wow
Example
Wow, that's incredible! [wow: interjection]
Example
I was wowed by the stunning view from the top of the mountain. [wowed: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wow is more commonly used than heck in everyday language. Wow is a versatile and widely recognized expression of amazement or excitement, while heck is less common and may be considered more informal or colloquial.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between heck and wow?
Neither heck nor wow are particularly formal expressions, but wow is more likely to be used in a wider range of contexts, including both informal and formal situations.