VocabDictionary

churlishness

/ˈtʃɜːrlɪʃnəs/advanced Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

The quality or state of being rude, surly, or mean-spirited in a boorish or ungracious manner.

Example Sentences:
  • His churlishness during the dinner party left the guests feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome.
  • She apologized for her earlier churlishness, admitting that she had been under a great deal of stress.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “churlishness”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Middle English 'churl' (from Old English 'ceorl', meaning a freeman of the lowest rank or a peasant), combined with the suffix '-ish' and '-ness'. Historically, a 'churl' was a person of low birth, and the term evolved from describing a lack of noble breeding to describing the rude, surly, or ill-mannered behavior associated with such perceived social status.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of a 'churl' as a 'churlish' person who is 'churl-ish' (childish) in their rudeness.

Frequently Asked Questions About “churlishness

1. What is the meaning of “churlishness” in English?

In English, churlishness (noun) is defined as: “The quality or state of being rude, surly, or mean-spirited in a boorish or ungracious manner.”.

2. How do you use “churlishness” in a sentence?

His churlishness during the dinner party left the guests feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome.

3. What are English synonyms of “churlishness”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “churlishness”?

Derived from the Middle English 'churl' (from Old English 'ceorl', meaning a freeman of the lowest rank or a peasant), combined with the suffix '-ish' and '-ness'. Historically, a 'churl' was a person of low birth, and the term evolved from describing a lack of noble breeding to describing the rude, surly, or ill-mannered behavior associated with such perceived social status.