What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
towhead
Example
The canoe got stuck on the towhead in the middle of the river. [towhead: noun]
Example
She was born with a head full of towhead hair. [towhead: adjective]
Example
He's the towhead of the group and makes all the decisions. [towhead: noun]
shoal
Example
The boat hit a shoal and got stuck in the river. [shoal: noun]
Example
We saw a shoal of fish swimming near the shore. [shoal: noun]
Example
The ship had to steer clear of the shoals to avoid running aground. [shoals: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shoal is more commonly used than towhead in everyday language, especially in the context of shallow areas in bodies of water. Towhead is less common and has additional meanings beyond its water-related definition.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between towhead and shoal?
Both towhead and shoal are relatively informal words, but shoal is more versatile and can be used in various formality levels, while towhead is more limited in its usage.
