couth

¹

[ kooth ]

adjective

1. showing or having good manners or sophistication; smooth:

   Sending her flowers would be a very couth thing to do.

noun

1. good manners; refinement:

   to be lacking in couth.

couth

²

[ kooth ]

adjective

, Archaic.

1. known or acquainted with.

couth

/ kuːθ /

adjective

1. facetious.
   refined
2. archaic.
   familiar; known

Word History and Origins

Origin of couth¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; back formation from uncouth

Origin of couth²

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English cūth, past participle of cunnan “to know”; know ¹, can ², could

Word History and Origins

Origin of couth¹

Old English cūth known, past participle of cunnan to know; sense 1, back formation from uncouth

Example Sentences

“I still like the venom and passion that was in a lot of the old songs, but there is a level of disrespect and lack of couth that sometimes I don’t dig,” Palumbo says.

From Los Angeles Times

It used to be cute, though, to hear him compensate for his lack of polish and couth by using ridiculously florid language when a one-syllable response would do.

From Salon

“Granted, the man has no couth, but this is not a popularity contest. The man was for America. We were in great shape.”

From Seattle Times

What could possibly be less couth – less Wimbledon – than seeing off all-comers with attitude, personality and style?

From The Guardian

“But obviously with the coronavirus and the social unrest we’re dealing with, that’s where you need a politician, somebody with a little bit more couth.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• bright
• burnished
• glistening
• refined
• shiny
• smooth
• urbane