What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fop
Example
He spent hours getting ready, making sure every detail of his outfit was perfect. What a fop! [fop: noun]
Example
She found his constant preening and posing to be tiresome and off-putting. He was such a fop. [fop: adjective]
popinjay
Example
He strutted around the party, showing off his expensive watch and designer clothes. What a popinjay! [popinjay: noun]
Example
She couldn't stand his constant bragging and self-promotion. He was such a popinjay. [popinjay: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fop is more commonly used than popinjay in modern English, although both words are relatively uncommon and may not be familiar to ESL learners.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fop and popinjay?
Both fop and popinjay are considered somewhat formal or literary, and may not be appropriate for casual conversation or informal writing. However, fop is slightly more versatile and may be used in a wider range of contexts than popinjay.
