What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
incourteous
Example
It's incourteous to interrupt someone while they're speaking. [incourteous: adjective]
Example
His incourteous behavior towards the waiter was unacceptable. [incourteous: adjective]
discourteous
Example
It's discourteous to not say 'please' and 'thank you'. [discourteous: adjective]
Example
Her discourteous response to the invitation was unexpected. [discourteous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Discourteous is more commonly used than incourteous in everyday language. Discourteous is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while incourteous is less common and may be considered archaic or outdated.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between incourteous and discourteous?
While incourteous is typically associated with a more formal tone, discourteous is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.