What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cowl
Example
The monk wore a brown cowl over his robe. [cowl: noun]
Example
The engine had a cowl covering the air intake. [cowl: noun]
Example
The falcon had a cowl over its head to keep it calm. [cowl: noun]
hood
Example
She pulled her hood up to shield herself from the rain. [hood: noun]
Example
The mechanic removed the hood to access the engine. [hood: noun]
Example
He wore a thick hood to keep warm in the winter. [hood: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hood is more commonly used than cowl in everyday language. Hood is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while cowl is less common and refers to specific types of garments or equipment.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cowl and hood?
While cowl is typically associated with religious or ceremonial attire and has a formal connotation, hood is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.