What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hag
Example
The old hag scared the children with her crooked nose and cackling laugh. [hag: noun]
Example
She looked like a hag straight out of a horror movie with her wild hair and piercing eyes. [hag: adjective]
harridan
Example
The harridan of a boss made everyone's life miserable with her constant demands and criticism. [harridan: noun]
Example
She had a harridan personality that made it hard for anyone to get along with her. [harridan: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hag is more commonly used than harridan in everyday language, but both words are not frequently used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hag and harridan?
Harridan is considered more formal than hag and is often used in literary or academic contexts, while hag is more informal and can be used in various contexts.
