churlish

American  

[chur-lish] / ˈtʃɜr lɪʃ /

adjective

1. like a churl; boorish; rude.

   churlish behavior.

   Synonyms:

   uncivil, ill-natured, loutish, vulgar, uncouth, coarse

   Antonyms:

   courteous

2. of a churl; peasantlike.

3. stingy; mean.

4. difficult to work or deal with, as soil.

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churlish British  

/ ˈtʃɜːlɪʃ /

adjective

1. rude or surly

2. of or relating to peasants

3. miserly

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Other Word Forms

• churlishly adverb
• churlishness noun
• unchurlish adjective
• unchurlishly adverb
• unchurlishness noun

Etymology

Origin of churlish

Before 1000; Middle English cherlish, Old English ceorlisc. See churl, -ish ¹

Example Sentences

I was being churlish, but I couldn’t seem to help it.

From Literature

However, not wanting to be "churlish", Williams opted to carry on writing to Orme - something he has done ever since - for more than 20 years.

From BBC

Seeing Hannie so happy I couldn’t stop the tiny, churlish, jealous voice inside me that asked why she never laughed like that with me any more.

From Literature

A person would be churlish not to be moved by the two recipients’ stories Tuesday night, but awarding them what they’d earned in that venue marked the abuse of a great honor.

From The Wall Street Journal

It would also be churlish to ignore the bravery and sacrifice of so many Afghans who fought and died over two decades.

From BBC

Related Words

• grumpy
• ornery
• rude
• sullen
• uncivilized