What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fop
Example
He spent hours in front of the mirror, fussing over his hair like a fop. [fop: noun]
Example
She found his foppish behavior tiresome and superficial. [foppish: adjective]
cockscomb
Example
He strutted around the party like a proud cockscomb. [cockscomb: noun]
Example
Her flamboyant outfit made her look like a colorful cockscomb. [cockscomb: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fop is less commonly used than cockscomb in everyday language. Fop is an older term that is still used occasionally, while cockscomb is more versatile and can be used in various contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fop and cockscomb?
Both fop and cockscomb are informal words that are typically used in casual conversation or writing. Neither word is appropriate for formal or academic writing.