What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
zaniness
Example
The comedian's zaniness had the audience in stitches. [zaniness: noun]
Example
He was known for his zany sense of humor and off-the-wall antics. [zany: adjective]
whimsicality
Example
The artist's whimsicality was evident in her colorful and imaginative paintings. [whimsicality: noun]
Example
The children were delighted by the whimsicality of the puppet show. [whimsical: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Whimsicality is less common than zaniness in everyday language. Zaniness is often used in informal contexts, such as comedy or entertainment, while whimsicality is more commonly used in artistic or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between zaniness and whimsicality?
Neither zaniness nor whimsicality is particularly formal or informal. Both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context and tone of the sentence.
