What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
whiffet
Example
The new employee was seen as a whiffet by his colleagues due to his lack of confidence. [whiffet: noun]
Example
The little dog was a whiffet compared to the larger breeds in the park. [whiffet: adjective]
runt
Example
The runt of the litter was the last to be adopted due to its small size. [runt: noun]
Example
He was always picked on for being the runt of the class, but he proved them wrong with his intelligence. [runt: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Runt is more commonly used than whiffet in everyday language, and it covers a wider range of contexts. Whiffet is less common and has a more literary connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between whiffet and runt?
Both whiffet and runt have negative connotations and are informal in tone. However, whiffet is more archaic and may be considered more formal due to its literary connotation.