What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rogue
Example
He's a rogue trader who caused the company to lose millions. [rogue: noun]
Example
The rogue wave caught the sailors off guard. [rogue: adjective]
scoundrel
Example
He's a scoundrel who cheated his way to the top. [scoundrel: noun]
Example
The scoundrel tried to swindle the old lady out of her money. [scoundrel: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rogue is more commonly used than scoundrel in everyday language. Rogue is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while scoundrel is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rogue and scoundrel?
Both rogue and scoundrel are informal words, but scoundrel has a more negative and judgmental tone, making it less appropriate for formal contexts.
