What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
addlebrain
Example
I'm sorry, I forgot what you said. I can be such an addlebrain sometimes. [addlebrain: noun]
Example
She was feeling so addlebrained that she couldn't even remember her own phone number. [addlebrained: adjective]
nincompoop
Example
Don't be such a nincompoop and read the instructions before you start. [nincompoop: noun]
Example
He made a nincompoop mistake by forgetting to save his work before shutting down the computer. [nincompoop: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Neither addlebrain nor nincompoop are commonly used in everyday language, and they should be used with caution as they are both insulting and informal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between addlebrain and nincompoop?
Addlebrain is less insulting and more playful than nincompoop, but both words are informal and should be avoided in formal settings.
