[Grammar] coward-cowardly

[Crowned 91]

Hi!

Most dictionaries classify "coward" as a noun and "cowardly" as an adjective. However, in two dictionaries (Oxford dictionary and Merriam-Webster) I have found that "coward" can also be an adjective.:-?

All the sentences I have come across use "coward" as a noun. So, is there a situation where I should use coward as an adjective or can I stick to what I have read and always use "coward" as a noun and "cowardly" as an adjective?

P.S. Is it possible to say both "He is too much of a coward" and "He is too cowardly" to convey the same meaning?

 

[MikeNewYork]

The use of 'coward" as an adjective is documented but old. It is not important in modern English.

Both of your sentences are correct and convey the same meaning.

 

[Tdol]

Oxford do say it's literary.