churl

[ churl ]

noun

1. a rude, boorish, or surly person.
2. a peasant; rustic.
3. a stingy person; miser; skinflint:

   He was a churl in his affections.

4. English History. a freeman of the lowest rank.

churl

/ tʃɜːl /

noun

1. a surly ill-bred person
2. archaic.
   a farm labourer
3. a variant spelling of ceorl

Word History and Origins

Origin of churl¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English cherl, Old English ceorl “male human being, man, freeman (of the lowest class)”; cognate with Dutch kerel, German Kerl “guy, fellow, chap”; akin to carl

Word History and Origins

Origin of churl¹

Old English ceorl; related to Old Norse karl, Middle Low German kerle, Greek gerōn old man

Example Sentences

Barabak: You would have to be a churl not to respect and admire Vance’s career path, which, to use a phrase oft-heard Monday might, truly embodies the American Dream.

From Los Angeles Times

Only a churl would deny Madonna the right to a victory lap, so monumental is her standing in pop history — not just as a maker of indelible songs and genre-defining videos but also as a cultural pathbreaker whose commitment to feminist and queer ideals continues to open lanes in the mainstream even now.

From Los Angeles Times

“Hearken, churl; mind thy comportment, else thou shalt endure a most grievous batie-bummil!”

From Washington Post

As with Stosur, it would take the dourest churl to dislike Barty, so the sight of either pulling through in Melbourne would have pleased — or will please — anyone worth knowing.

From Washington Post

You can hear these soft landing spots as part of the interest in wellness culture the singer has been talking about lately; certainly, only a churl would begrudge her whatever comfortable space she needs to heal from her divorce.

From Los Angeles Times