What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
goon
Example
The goons threatened the shopkeeper to pay protection money. [goons: plural noun]
Example
He's a goon who likes to intimidate people with his size. [goon: singular noun]
hooligan
Example
The hooligans started a riot after the football match. [hooligans: plural noun]
Example
The police arrested the hooligan for breaking windows in the downtown area. [hooligan: singular noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hooligan is more commonly used than goon in everyday language, and is often used in the context of sports or other competitive events.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between goon and hooligan?
Neither goon nor hooligan are formal words, and both are considered colloquial and informal in nature.
