What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
swoosh
Example
The basketball went through the hoop with a swoosh. [swoosh: noun]
Example
The wind made a swooshing sound as it blew through the trees. [swooshing: present participle]
whizz
Example
The ball whizzed past the goalkeeper and into the net. [whizzed: past tense]
Example
The toy top made a whizzing sound as it spun around. [whizzing: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Whizz is more commonly used than swoosh in everyday language, especially in transportation or machinery contexts. Swoosh is more commonly used in sports contexts, particularly in relation to the sound of a ball going through a hoop or the sound of a player's movements on the court.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between swoosh and whizz?
Both swoosh and whizz are informal words that are typically used in casual conversation or in specific contexts like sports or transportation. Neither word is considered particularly formal or appropriate for use in academic or professional writing.
