What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
egghead
Example
My professor is a real egghead when it comes to physics. [egghead: noun]
Example
She spent her Saturday night reading scientific journals, what an egghead! [egghead: adjective]
bookworm
Example
He's such a bookworm, he can finish a novel in one sitting. [bookworm: noun]
Example
She's always been a bookworm, spending hours in the library every week. [bookworm: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bookworm is more commonly used than egghead in everyday language. Bookworm is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while egghead is less common and refers to a specific type of intellectual pursuit.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between egghead and bookworm?
Neither egghead nor bookworm are particularly formal words, but egghead may be seen as more formal due to its association with academia and science.
