What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
scoundrel
Example
He cheated his way to the top, what a scoundrel! [scoundrel: noun]
Example
She scolded him for being a scoundrel and lying to her. [scoundrel: adjective]
villain
Example
The villain in the movie was so convincing that I actually felt scared. [villain: noun]
Example
He was accused of being the villain behind the company's downfall. [villain: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Villain is more commonly used than scoundrel in everyday language. Villain is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while scoundrel is less common and refers to a person's character or behavior.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between scoundrel and villain?
Villain is more formal than scoundrel. While scoundrel is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, villain is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
