What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hellcat
Example
She's a real hellcat when she's angry. [hellcat: noun]
Example
The hellcat prowled through the forest, searching for prey. [hellcat: noun]
Example
He drove his new hellcat down the highway, feeling the power of the engine. [hellcat: noun]
harpy
Example
She's such a harpy, always complaining and criticizing. [harpy: noun]
Example
The harpy swooped down from the sky, its talons ready to strike. [harpy: noun]
Example
The falconer trained his harpy to hunt small game in the forest. [harpy: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hellcat is a more common word than harpy in everyday language, particularly in American slang. However, both words are relatively uncommon and may not be familiar to ESL learners.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hellcat and harpy?
Neither hellcat nor harpy are particularly formal words, but harpy may be more associated with literary or mythological contexts, giving it a slightly more formal tone.
