What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
whammy
Example
The team suffered a whammy when their star player got injured. [whammy: noun]
Example
The company was hit with a double whammy of declining sales and rising costs. [whammy: adjective]
hex
Example
The old woman put a hex on the farmer's crops, causing them to wither and die. [hex: noun]
Example
Ever since he broke that mirror, he's been under a hex and nothing seems to go right for him. [hex: preposition]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Whammy is more commonly used than hex in everyday language, especially in American English. Hex is less common and has a more specific meaning related to curses and spells.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between whammy and hex?
Neither whammy nor hex are particularly formal words, and both can be used in casual or informal contexts.
