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Churlish: meaning, definitions and examples

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churlish

 

[ ˈtʃɜːrlɪʃ ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

behavioral description

Churlish refers to someone who is rude, surly, or ill-mannered. It describes behavior that is not only unfriendly but also openly disrespectful. A churlish individual often reacts unpleasantly to others, exhibiting a lack of consideration or politeness. This term conveys a sense of disdain or displeasure, suggesting that the person is unwilling to engage in courtesy or gracefulness.

Synonyms

boorish, ill-mannered, impolite, rude, surly

Examples of usage

  • His churlish response surprised everyone at the meeting.
  • She found his churlish behavior unacceptable during the dinner.
  • Despite the festive atmosphere, his churlish remarks spoiled the mood.

Translations

Translations of the word "churlish" in other languages:

🇵🇹 rude

🇮🇳 बदतमीज़

🇩🇪 grobschlächtig

🇮🇩 kasar

🇺🇦 грубий

🇵🇱 chamski

🇯🇵 無礼な

🇫🇷 grossier

🇪🇸 grosero

🇹🇷 kaba

🇰🇷 무례한

🇸🇦 فظ

🇨🇿 hrubý

🇸🇰 hrubý

🇨🇳 粗鲁的

🇸🇮 grob

🇮🇸 grófur

🇰🇿 сұмдық

🇬🇪 ბარბაროსული

🇦🇿 kobud

🇲🇽 grosero

Etymology

The word 'churlish' has its origins in Middle English, derived from the word 'churl' which originally referred to a peasant or a low-born person. The term 'churl' itself can be traced back to Old English 'ceorl', meaning a man or a freeman, particularly one of the lower classes. Over time, the connotation of the word evolved, taking on a negative meaning associated with meanness and lack of refinement. By the late Middle Ages, 'churlish' began to signify not only the characteristics of a churl but also an outright disregard for courtesy. This shift reflected social changes where class distinctions became more pronounced, and behavior was closely associated with one's social standing. Today, churlish is primarily used to describe ungracious or surly behavior, reflecting an unwillingness to engage positively with others.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,486, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.