What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wacky
Example
The comedian's wacky sense of humor had the audience laughing all night. [wacky: adjective]
Example
My uncle has some wacky ideas about how to solve world problems. [wacky: adjective]
whimsical
Example
The artist's whimsical paintings were full of bright colors and playful characters. [whimsical: adjective]
Example
She had a whimsical personality and loved to make people laugh. [whimsical: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Whimsical is more commonly used than wacky in everyday language. Whimsical is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while wacky is less common and has a more limited usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wacky and whimsical?
Whimsical is considered more formal than wacky. While whimsical can be used in both formal and informal contexts, wacky is typically associated with a more casual and informal tone.