What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pout
Example
She pouted when she didn't get her way. [pouted: verb]
Example
He had a cute little pout on his face. [pout: noun]
sulk
Example
She's been sulking all day because she didn't get the promotion. [sulking: present participle]
Example
He went to bed early and sulked for days after the argument. [sulked: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sulk is more commonly used than pout in everyday language. Sulk is a versatile word that can be used to describe various situations and age groups. In contrast, pout is less common and often associated with children or playful expressions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pout and sulk?
Both pout and sulk are informal words that are typically used in casual conversations. However, sulk may be used in more formal contexts to describe a serious mood or behavior, while pout is generally considered too informal for formal settings.