What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
knave
Example
He's such a knave, always lying and cheating to get what he wants. [knave: noun]
Example
She played a knavish trick on her friend, making her believe something untrue. [knavish: adjective]
villain
Example
The villain in the movie was a ruthless criminal who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. [villain: noun]
Example
She had a villainous reputation in the town for her cruel treatment of animals. [villainous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Villain is more commonly used in modern English than knave. While knave is an older term that has fallen out of common usage, villain remains a versatile word that can be used in various contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between knave and villain?
Villain is generally considered a more formal word than knave. It is often used in literature, movies, and other formal contexts to describe a character's negative qualities or actions.
