What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deformed
Example
The puppy was born with a deformed leg. [deformed: adjective]
Example
The car was deformed after the accident. [deformed: past participle]
malformed
Example
The baby was born with malformed fingers. [malformed: adjective]
Example
The software program had a malformed code that caused it to crash. [malformed: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deformed is more commonly used than malformed in everyday language. Deformed is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while malformed is more technical and specific.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deformed and malformed?
Both deformed and malformed are considered formal words, but malformed is more technical and often used in medical or scientific contexts.
