What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
whim
Example
On a whim, she decided to dye her hair pink. [whim: noun]
Example
He whimsically suggested they go on a road trip. [whimsically: adverb]
impulse
Example
She had an impulse to jump into the lake on a hot day. [impulse: noun]
Example
He impulsively quit his job without thinking it through. [impulsively: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Impulse is more commonly used than whim in everyday language. Impulse is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while whim is less common and refers to a more fanciful or capricious idea.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between whim and impulse?
Both whim and impulse are typically associated with an informal tone. However, impulse can be used in more formal contexts when referring to scientific or psychological concepts.
