What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unkind
Example
It was unkind of him to make fun of her in front of everyone. [unkind: adjective]
Example
She felt unkindly towards her neighbor after their argument. [unkindly: adverb]
mean
Example
He was being mean to his little sister by hiding her favorite toy. [mean: adjective]
Example
She didn't mean to hurt his feelings with her comment. [mean: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mean is more commonly used than unkind in everyday language. Mean is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unkind is less common and typically used in milder situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unkind and mean?
While both unkind and mean are typically associated with an informal tone, mean is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
