uncouth

American  

[uhn-kooth] / ʌnˈkuθ /

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

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uncouth British  

/ ʌnˈkuːθ /

adjective

1. lacking in good manners, refinement, or grace

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Related Words

See boorish.

Other Word Forms

• uncouthly adverb
• uncouthness noun

Etymology

Origin of uncouth

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

Example Sentences

If it’s uncouth to raise in public, I assure you: lots of people are talking about this privately, because it’s getting hard to ignore.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Who on earth is this dirty, uncouth, and uncivilized creature?” she demanded.

From Literature

Writers called the trees “grotesque,” “infernal” and “uncouth.”

From Los Angeles Times

Some argue that tourists behave in an uncouth, disrespectful way - violating the strong norms of courtesy on which Japanese people pride themselves.

From BBC

These days, “‘Housewives’ trip” is synonymous with the most outlandish, uncouth, highly compelling television that the reality genre has to offer.

From Salon