What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
yob
Example
The yobs were causing a disturbance outside the pub. [yob: noun]
Example
He was arrested for yobbish behavior and damaging public property. [yobbish: adjective]
thug
Example
The thug threatened the shopkeeper with a knife during the robbery. [thug: noun]
Example
She was known for her thuggish behavior and involvement in street fights. [thuggish: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Thug is more commonly used than yob in everyday language, especially in American English. Thug is also more versatile and can be used to describe a wider range of criminal behavior, while yob is less common and more specific to certain types of behavior.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between yob and thug?
Neither yob nor thug are formal words, and both are considered slang. However, thug may be considered more offensive or derogatory due to its association with violent crime and organized crime groups.
