uncouth

[ uhn-kooth ]

adjective

1. awkward, clumsy, or unmannerly:

   uncouth behavior; an uncouth relative who embarrasses the family.

   Synonyms: uncivil, rude, discourteous

   Antonyms: courteous

2. strange and ungraceful in appearance or form.
3. unusual or strange.

   Synonyms: unfamiliar, odd

uncouth

/ ʌnˈkuːθ /

adjective

1. lacking in good manners, refinement, or grace

Derived Forms

• unˈcouthness, noun
• unˈcouthly, adverb

Other Words From

• un·couthly adverb
• un·couthness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of uncouth¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English uncūth ( un- ¹, couth ² ); cognate with Dutch onkond

Word History and Origins

Origin of uncouth¹

Old English uncūth, from un- ¹+ cūth familiar; related to Old High German kund known, Old Norse kunnr

Synonym Study

See boorish.

Example Sentences

It was classic Alatorre: uncompromising, uncouth and unapologetic in the name of exerting his influence to better Latinos.

From Los Angeles Times

They say it is "blokey", "lowbrow" and fuels the stereotype that Australians are bogans - local slang for an uncouth person of low social status.

From BBC

Lincoln in 1860, as he entered the forge with its licking flames, was an ungainly, uncouth, mocked and widely hated man.

From Washington Post

The Democratic PACs’ decision to step into the GOP primaries was viewed by some Democrats as uncouth and potentially risky.

From Washington Times

"He has a very serious problem in that he talks too much," he says of the president's habit of making controversial, uncouth and homophobic statements.

From BBC