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

Then longe folk to go on pilgrimages, And palmers for to seeke strange strands To ferne hallows couth in sundry lands.

From Project Gutenberg

For in the flower of his youth, In sondry wise as he well couth, Of ditties and of songes glade The which he for my sake made.

From Project Gutenberg

Here the expression, no good he ne couth means, he was quite feeble and strengthless.

From Project Gutenberg

Al myten o 25 same inges bettere and more plentiuousely be couth 592 in e moue of e poeple at knowe al is.

From Project Gutenberg

Al myten o same inges bettere and more plentiuousely be couth in e moue of e poeple at knowe al is.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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