boorish

[ boor-ish ]

adjective

1. of or like a boor; unmannered; crude; insensitive.

   Synonyms: churlish, loutish, uncouth, coarse

   Antonyms: refined

boorish

/ ˈbʊərɪʃ /

adjective

1. ill-mannered, clumsy, or insensitive; rude

Derived Forms

• ˈboorishness, noun
• ˈboorishly, adverb

Other Words From

• boorish·ly adverb
• boorish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of boorish¹

First recorded in 1555–65; boor + -ish ¹

Synonym Study

Boorish, oafish, rude, uncouth all describe persons, acts, manners, or mannerisms that violate in some way the generally accepted canons of polite, considerate behavior. Boorish, originally referring to behavior characteristic of an unlettered rustic or peasant, now implies a coarse and blatant lack of sensitivity to the feelings or values of others: a boorish refusal to acknowledge greetings. Oafish suggests slow-witted, loutlike, clumsy behavior: oafish table manners. Rude has the widest scope of meaning of these words; it suggests either purposefully impudent discourtesy or, less frequently, a rough crudity of appearance or manner: a rude remark; a rude thatched hut. Uncouth stresses most strongly in modern use a lack of good manners, whether arising from ignorance or brashness: uncouth laughter; an uncouth way of staring at strangers.

Example Sentences

Blanche repeatedly questioned Cohen about calling Trump a "boorish cartoon misogynist" and "Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain," as well as his motives for testifying and the money he made from books and merchandise criticizing Trump.

From Salon

Such gags are rare, except of course in trials of boorish mobsters.

From Los Angeles Times

Shortly after standing at the altar before family and friends, when we attended a UCLA-USC basketball game outfitted in our respective school sweatshirts, we were observed by a group of boorish Bruins.

From Los Angeles Times

He was also a silver-tongued intellectual who abhorred boorish thinking and behavior and savored debates with the sharpest minds of his era.

From New York Times

But before the Philadelphia 76ers big man unburdened himself, he pulled on a WWE T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan of the wrestling company’s most boorish faction, Degeneration X: “Suck It.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• barbaric
• churlish
• coarse
• impolite
• rude
• tasteless
• uncivilized
• vulgar