What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
scallywag
Example
That scallywag stole my lunch again! [scallywag: noun]
Example
He's always up to some scallywag antics. [scallywag: adjective]
vagabond
Example
The vagabond traveled the world with nothing but a backpack. [vagabond: noun]
Example
She lived a vagabond life, never staying in one place for too long. [vagabond: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vagabond is more commonly used than scallywag in everyday language. Vagabond is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while scallywag is less common and may be considered more informal or playful.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between scallywag and vagabond?
Neither scallywag nor vagabond are particularly formal words, but vagabond may be more appropriate in formal writing due to its wider usage and more neutral connotation.