What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
maleficia
Example
The villagers believed that the sudden illness was caused by maleficia. [maleficia: noun]
Example
She was accused of practicing maleficia on her enemies. [maleficia: noun]
jinx
Example
I don't want to jinx it, but I think we're going to win the game. [jinx: verb]
Example
He believed that the jinx was responsible for his string of bad luck. [jinx: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Jinx is a more common word than maleficia and is used in everyday language to refer to a belief in curses or spells that bring bad luck. Maleficia is a less common word and is typically used in the context of witchcraft or supernatural fiction.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between maleficia and jinx?
Both maleficia and jinx are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts. However, maleficia may be considered more formal due to its association with Latin roots and the context of witchcraft and dark magic.
