What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wisp
Example
She tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear. [wisp: noun]
Example
The wisp of smoke from the candle slowly dissipated into the air. [wisp: noun]
strand
Example
A strand of hair fell across her face. [strand: noun]
Example
The boat was stranded on the deserted island. [stranded: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Strand is more commonly used than wisp in everyday language. Strand is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while wisp is less common and often used in specific contexts, such as describing a delicate strand of hair or a wisp of smoke.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wisp and strand?
Both wisp and strand are relatively neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
