What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
incongruous
Example
The bright pink dress looked incongruous at the funeral. [incongruous: adjective]
Example
His sarcastic comment was incongruous with the serious tone of the meeting. [incongruous: adjective]
inappropriate
Example
It would be inappropriate to wear shorts to a job interview. [inappropriate: adjective]
Example
His jokes were inappropriate and made everyone uncomfortable. [inappropriate: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Inappropriate is more commonly used than incongruous in everyday language. Inappropriate covers a wider range of situations and contexts, while incongruous is more specific and often used in formal writing or speech.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between incongruous and inappropriate?
Incongruous is typically associated with a formal and academic tone, while inappropriate is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
