What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
woeful
Example
The team's performance was woeful, losing every game this season. [woeful: adjective]
Example
She had a woeful expression on her face after hearing the bad news. [woeful: adjective]
woful
Example
The woful tale of lost love and heartbreak echoed through the halls. [woful: adjective]
Example
In Shakespeare's play, the woful prince mourned the loss of his father. [woful: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Woeful is much more common than woful in modern English and is the preferred spelling in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between woeful and woful?
Both woeful and woful are considered formal words and are appropriate for use in formal writing or speech.
