What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
spitball
Example
The student got in trouble for shooting a spitball in class. [spitball: noun]
Example
He spitballed a few ideas for the project, but nothing seemed to stick. [spitballed: past tense verb]
wad
Example
He crumpled up a piece of paper and made a wad out of it. [wad: noun]
Example
She handed over a wad of cash to pay for the car. [wad: noun]
Example
There was a wad in the carpet where the furniture had been sitting. [wad: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wad is more commonly used than spitball in everyday language. Wad has a wider range of contexts and can be used to describe a variety of objects, while spitball is more specific and is mostly used in informal or playful contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between spitball and wad?
Neither spitball nor wad are considered formal words, but wad is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
