What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
honcho
Example
He's the honcho of the marketing department. [honcho: noun]
Example
She honchoed the project from start to finish. [honchoed: past tense verb]
boss
Example
My boss is very supportive of my work. [boss: noun]
Example
He bosses everyone around and doesn't listen to anyone else's ideas. [bosses: present tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Boss is more commonly used than honcho in everyday language, especially in formal contexts. Honcho is less common and more informal, often used in casual conversation or in specific contexts such as the military or sports teams.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between honcho and boss?
Boss is generally considered more formal than honcho. While boss can be used in both formal and informal contexts, honcho is more commonly used in informal settings and may not be appropriate in more formal situations.