What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wailing
Example
The mother was wailing uncontrollably at her child's funeral. [wailing: verb]
Example
The sound of the ambulance siren wailing in the distance was unsettling. [wailing: present participle]
crying
Example
She couldn't stop crying after watching the sad movie. [crying: present participle]
Example
The baby's crying woke me up in the middle of the night. [crying: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Crying is more commonly used than wailing in everyday language. Crying is a versatile term that covers a wide range of emotional expressions, while wailing is less common and typically reserved for more intense and mournful situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wailing and crying?
While crying is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, wailing is more dramatic and may be considered more formal or poetic in certain contexts.
