What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unintelligent
Example
The unintelligent student struggled to grasp the concept. [unintelligent: adjective]
Example
She was often seen as unintelligent due to her lack of knowledge on the subject. [unintelligent: adjective]
foolish
Example
It was foolish of him to spend all his money on unnecessary items. [foolish: adjective]
Example
She felt foolish for believing his lies. [foolish: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Foolish is more commonly used than unintelligent in everyday language. Foolish is a versatile term that can be used in various contexts, while unintelligent is less common and may be considered more technical or formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unintelligent and foolish?
Both unintelligent and foolish are informal terms. However, unintelligent may be considered more formal due to its technical connotation.