What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
boor
Example
He was such a boor at the party, constantly interrupting people and making inappropriate comments. [boor: noun]
Example
Her boorish behavior during the meeting offended everyone in the room. [boorish: adjective]
oaf
Example
He tripped over his own feet again, what an oaf! [oaf: noun]
Example
She's always dropping things and knocking into furniture, she can be quite oafish sometimes. [oafish: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Boor is less commonly used than oaf in everyday language. Boor is more specific in describing rude or offensive behavior, while oaf can be used in a broader sense to describe clumsiness or lack of intelligence.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between boor and oaf?
Both boor and oaf are informal words and are typically used in casual conversations or informal writing.
