What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wail
Example
The mother wailed in agony upon hearing the news of her son's death. [wailed: verb]
Example
The wail of the wind outside kept me up all night. [wail: noun]
sob
Example
She sobbed uncontrollably after receiving the bad news. [sobbed: verb]
Example
He couldn't hold back his sobs during the funeral. [sobs: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sob is more commonly used than wail in everyday language. Sob is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while wail is less common and refers to a more specific type of cry.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between wail and sob?
While wail is typically associated with a more dramatic and formal tone, sob is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
