Cowardish vs. Cowardly — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 17, 2024
Cowardish and cowardly both describe fear-driven avoidance of danger, but "cowardly" is the more common and formally recognized adjective.
Difference Between Cowardish and Cowardly
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Key Differences
Cowardish is a less common and somewhat archaic term used to describe actions or behavior that exhibit fear and avoidance of danger. It implies a degree of cowardice but is not widely used in modern English. On the other hand, cowardly is the standard adjective used to denote that someone or something shows a lack of courage in facing danger, pain, or difficulty.
While "cowardish" can be seen in older texts or used for stylistic effect, implying a quaint or old-fashioned tone, "cowardly" is used in contemporary language both formally and informally. It is recognized and understood universally as describing actions or behavior motivated by fear.
Cowardish might occasionally be used in playful, informal contexts or to mimic historical speech. On the other hand, cowardly appears in formal definitions, legal texts, and standard communications, ensuring clarity and universality in its understanding.
While some might argue that cowardish carries a slightly less derogatory connotation than cowardly, suggesting a tentative or partial quality of fear, cowardly explicitly denotes an act fully influenced by fear, often used to criticize or condemn.
Both terms ultimately derive from the same root, "coward." Whereas cowardly has become the dominant form to describe fear-driven actions, cowardish remains a linguistic curiosity, largely relegated to discussions on language and history.
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Comparison Chart
Usage
Informal, less common
Standard, widely accepted
Perception
May be seen as archaic or dialectal
Universally recognized and understood
Appropriate Context
Literature, dialects
All contexts, including formal communications
Frequency in Language
Rare in modern usage
Commonly used in both spoken and written English
Connotation
Similar negative connotation to cowardly
Strongly negative, denotes lack of bravery
Compare with Definitions
Cowardish
A less common term for acting with fear and avoidance.
The decision to avoid conflict was cowardish, avoiding any confrontation.
Cowardly
Lacking courage in a way that is often contemptible.
The leader’s cowardly silence spoke volumes.
Cowardish
Suggestive of cowardice in a quaint or outdated style.
The knight’s retreat was seen as cowardish by his peers.
Cowardly
Describes someone who is excessively afraid of risks or pain.
It was a cowardly act to lie rather than admit the mistake.
Cowardish
Used in literature for stylistic effect to describe timidity.
The character’s cowardish hesitation added to the tension in the novel.
Cowardly
Often used to criticize a lack of bravery.
The cowardly response to the crisis disappointed everyone.
Cowardish
Occasionally used to describe fearful behavior in regional dialects.
In some local tales, the heroes are portrayed as brave, and the villains as cowardish.
Cowardly
Relates to actions that avoid danger or confrontation through fear.
Running away from the challenge was a cowardly move.
Cowardish
Exhibiting a lack of bravery in a more informal or old-fashioned manner.
His refusal to face his critics was somewhat cowardish.
Cowardly
Reflects a moral judgment on actions driven by fear.
There was a cowardly undertone to his polite refusals.
Cowardish
(obsolete) cowardly
Cowardly
Exhibiting the characteristics of a coward, particularly ignoble fear
A cowardly surrender.
Cowardish
Cowardly.
Cowardly
Showing cowardice; lacking in courage; weakly fearful.
Cowardly
(archaic) In the manner of a coward, cowardlily.
Cowardly
Wanting courage; basely or weakly timid or fearful; pusillanimous; spiritless.
The cowardly rascals that ran from the battle.
Cowardly
Proceeding from fear of danger or other consequences; befitting a coward; dastardly; base; as, cowardly malignity.
The cowardly rashness of those who dare not look danger in the face.
Cowardly
In the manner of a coward.
Cowardly
Lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted;
Cowardly dogs, ye will not aid me then
Common Curiosities
What is the difference between cowardish and cowardly?
Cowardish is an informal and less common variant of cowardly, which is the standard term used to describe a lack of courage.
Is cowardish considered correct English?
While technically correct, cowardish is less common and often perceived as archaic or dialectal.
What synonyms can be used for cowardly?
Synonyms for cowardly include fearful, timorous, and spineless.
Can I use cowardish in formal writing?
It's best to use cowardly in formal contexts due to its wider acceptance and recognition.
How do I use cowardish in a sentence?
Although less common, you might use cowardish to add a quaint or stylistic tone, e.g., "His actions were somewhat cowardish."
Is there a difference in severity between cowardish and cowardly?
No significant difference in severity, but cowardly may carry a stronger negative connotation due to its frequent use.
Can cowardish and cowardly be used interchangeably?
While they can be interchangeable in meaning, cowardly is preferred for its clarity and recognition.
What are examples of cowardly behavior?
Avoiding necessary confrontations or lying to escape consequences are examples of cowardly behavior.
What is the origin of the word cowardly?
Cowardly derives from the Old French word 'coart', related to the tail (queue), implying turning tail or fleeing.
Is cowardish used in modern literature?
Cowardish appears occasionally in modern literature, often for stylistic or dialectal effects.
How should I teach these words to ESL students?
Focus on cowardly as the standard term, introducing cowardish as a less common synonym.
How do the connotations of cowardish and cowardly impact their usage?
The strong negative connotations of both terms influence their usage, especially in describing behavior in ethical or moral contexts.
Why is cowardly more prevalent than cowardish?
Cowardly is more widely recognized and understood, making it more prevalent in both spoken and written English.
How does society view cowardly actions?
Society typically views cowardly actions negatively, associating them with a lack of moral fortitude.
Are there positive uses of cowardly or cowardish?
Both terms are generally used negatively to describe actions considered morally or socially reprehensible due to fear.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
