Churlish: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Churlish adjective. Rude and ungracious, especially when kindness is expected.
How to say it
CHUR-lish/ˈtʃɜːlɪʃ/
2 syllables, stressed on the first (CHUR).
Churlish in a sentence
It seemed churlish to refuse the cake she had baked specially.
His churlish reply to the thank-you card surprised everyone.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- rude
- surly
- boorish
- ungracious
Opposite:
- gracious
- polite
Where churlish comes from
From churl, an Old English word for a peasant or man of low rank.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
His _____ reply to the thank-you card surprised everyone.
- diffident
- churlish
- punctilious
Show the answer
churlish: His churlish reply to the thank-you card surprised everyone.