couth
1 Americanadjective
noun
adjective
adjective
-
facetious refined
-
archaic familiar; known
Etymology
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
Explanation
Couth is an adjective that means "refined or well mannered," like a couth gentleman who stands every time a woman leaves or returns to the table at the fancy dinner — the poor guy got a workout! As a noun, couth means good manners, sophistication or politeness, like having the couth to hold the door — or hold your tongue if the conversation turns to touchy subjects like money, politics, religion, or a person's physical appearance. The opposite of couth is uncouth. Around such a person, expect doors to slam in faces and uncomfortable conversations about sensitive matters.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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 • May 15, 2023
What could possibly be less couth – less Wimbledon – than seeing off all-comers with attitude, personality and style?
From The Guardian • Jul. 11, 2021
A scrap-metal tycoon pays a Washington newsman to make his girlfriend couth.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 19, 2019
It viciously took him to task for being cosmopolitan and having political couth.
From Washington Post • Aug. 17, 2017
We might joke about looking “kempt” or being "couth," but in fact the negatives have no opposite forms—they’re either obsolete rarities or whimsical inventions.
From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
