What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
quail
Example
She quailed at the thought of having to speak in public. [quailed: verb]
Example
The dog quailed in fear at the sound of thunder. [quailed: past tense]
Example
We went quail hunting in the woods last weekend. [quail: noun]
cower
Example
He cowered in the corner, afraid to face his attacker. [cowered: verb]
Example
The cat cowered under the bed when the vacuum cleaner turned on. [cowered: past tense]
Example
The dog cowered before its master, who had scolded it for misbehaving. [cowered: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cower is more commonly used than quail in everyday language, especially in contexts where a more intense reaction to fear is implied.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between quail and cower?
Both quail and cower are relatively formal words, but quail may be considered slightly more formal due to its less frequent usage in everyday language.
