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

“I still like the venom and passion that was in a lot of the old songs, but there is a level of disrespect and lack of couth that sometimes I don’t dig,” Palumbo says.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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.

Read more on Salon

“Granted, the man has no couth, but this is not a popularity contest. The man was for America. We were in great shape.”

Read more on Seattle Times

What could possibly be less couth – less Wimbledon – than seeing off all-comers with attitude, personality and style?

Read more on The Guardian

“But obviously with the coronavirus and the social unrest we’re dealing with, that’s where you need a politician, somebody with a little bit more couth.”

Read more on New York Times

Related Words

• bright 
• burnished www.thesaurus.com
• glistening www.thesaurus.com
• refined 
• shiny 
• smooth 
• urbane