churl

American  

[churl] / tʃɜrl /

noun

1. a rude, boorish, or surly person.

2. a peasant; rustic.

3. a stingy person; miser; skinflint.

   He was a churl in his affections.

4. English History. a freeman of the lowest rank.

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churl British  

/ tʃɜːl /

noun

1. a surly ill-bred person

2. archaic a farm labourer

3. a variant spelling of ceorl

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Etymology

Origin of churl

First recorded before 900; Middle English cherl, Old English ceorl “male human being, man, freeman (of the lowest class)”; cognate with Dutch kerel, German Kerl “guy, fellow, chap”; akin to carl

Explanation

A churl is a rude or nasty person. The basketball player who's constantly jabbing opponents with his elbows and deliberately tripping them is a churl. Churl comes from the Old English ceorl, "peasant," and originally that's exactly what it meant: a commoner, or person who didn't belong to the nobility. During the 15th century, the word became somewhat negative, meaning "a low fellow," and by the 1800s it meant "person inclined to loutish behavior." Today churl is less common than its related adjective churlish, but it's still a great name for someone who's vulgar and mean.

Example Sentences

“Hearken, churl; mind thy comportment, else thou shalt endure a most grievous batie-bummil!”

From Washington Post • Apr. 14, 2022

Only a churl would lament the existence of these testaments to the out-of-nowhere potential of a great pop hit.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2021

But with the superb singing on display, I am beginning to feel like a churl for citing any flaws.

From New York Times • Apr. 27, 2015

Actually, I'm not a churl and think he is rather a good thing but he is increasingly sounding like Samwise Gamgee on helium, in making Alan Sugar laugh at himself and the mad contestants human.

From The Guardian • Jul. 23, 2011

Only if you are a churl will you deny your arm.

From Hints to Pilgrims by Brooks, Charles Stephen