What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
enemy
Example
The soldiers saw the opposing army as their enemy. [enemy: noun]
Example
The harsh weather was the enemy of the farmers' crops. [enemy: metaphorical noun]
foe
Example
The superhero fought against his arch-nemesis, his longtime foe. [foe: noun]
Example
The disease was a formidable foe for the medical community. [foe: metaphorical noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Enemy is more commonly used than foe in everyday language, and is more versatile in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between enemy and foe?
Both enemy and foe are generally considered formal words, but foe may have a slightly more literary or poetic connotation.
