What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
whimsy
Example
The children's book was full of whimsy and magic. [whimsy: noun]
Example
She had a whimsical idea to paint her room in rainbow colors. [whimsical: adjective]
caprice
Example
His capricious nature made it hard to predict his actions. [capricious: adjective]
Example
The company's decision to rebrand seemed like a caprice rather than a strategic move. [caprice: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Whimsy is more commonly used than caprice in everyday language. Whimsy is often used to describe creative works or to add a playful touch to a conversation, while caprice is less common and may be seen as a more formal or literary term.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between whimsy and caprice?
Both whimsy and caprice are relatively formal words, but whimsy is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while caprice is more commonly used in formal or literary contexts.
