What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gangster
Example
The gangster was arrested for his involvement in the drug trade. [gangster: noun]
Example
He threatened to send his gangster friends after me if I didn't pay him back. [gangster: adjective]
hoodlum
Example
The hoodlums broke into the store and stole all the merchandise. [hoodlums: noun]
Example
The police arrested several hoodlum teenagers for vandalizing the park. [hoodlum: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Gangster is more commonly used than hoodlum in formal contexts such as news articles and legal documents. However, hoodlum is more commonly used in everyday language and informal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gangster and hoodlum?
Gangster is a more formal term than hoodlum, and is often used in legal and official contexts. Hoodlum, on the other hand, is more informal and colloquial, and is often used in casual conversation or in media such as movies and music.
