What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
whittle
Example
He whittled a small figurine out of a block of wood. [whittled: past tense]
Example
She likes to whittle away at her to-do list every day. [whittle away: phrasal verb]
widdle
Example
The toddler widdled in his diaper during the car ride. [widdled: past tense]
Example
I need to stop widdling around and get to work. [widdling: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Whittle is much more common than widdle in everyday language. Whittle is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while widdle is less common and often considered informal or inappropriate.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between whittle and widdle?
Whittle is more formal and commonly used in woodworking or crafting contexts, while widdle is informal and often considered childish or vulgar.
