What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Barbarous vs Barbarious - What's the difference?

barbarous | barbarious |

As adjectives the difference between barbarous and barbarious

is that barbarous is not classical or pure while barbarious is barbarous, barbaric.

barbarous

English

Alternative forms

* (obsolete) barbarouse

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Not classical or pure.
  • uncivilized, uncultured
  • Like a barbarian, especially in sound; noisy, dissonant.
    • I did but prompt the age to quit their cloggs
    By the known rules of antient libertie,
    When strait a barbarous noise environs me
    Of Owles and Cuckoes, Asses, Apes and Doggs - (1673)

    Derived terms

    * barbarously * barbarousness

    Related terms

    * barbarian * barbaric

    barbarious

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • barbarous, barbaric.
  • * 1776 ,
    • During that calamitous period, every instant of time was marked, every province of the Roman world was afflicted, by barbarious invaders and military tyrants, and the ruined empire seemed to approach the last and fatal moment of its dissolution.
  • * 1874 , , page 219
  • *:"Well, it seems a barbarious practice enough to us, but I daresay the natives think nothing o' it," said Matthew.
  • * 1941 , , The Colossus of Maroussi , page 143
    • The game is played out, the figures have melted away, the lines are frazzled, the board is mildewed. Everything has become barbarious again.

    Usage notes

    * Sometimes considered non-standard.