WordValechurlish
rude and mean-spirited
In more detail
1. (adjective) rude and unfriendly; behaving in an unpleasant way
2. (adjective) unwilling to spend money or give help; stingy
Examples
- 1. He gave a churlish reply and refused to shake hands.
- 2. It would be churlish to refuse their generous offer of help.
How to use churlish
Churlish describes deliberate rudeness or meanness that seems deliberate and ingrained rather than accidental. It carries a note of moral judgment—the person is not merely unfriendly but actively disagreeable. It can refer to both interpersonal rudeness and stinginess or unwillingness to help. The word is somewhat literary or formal and is typically used when expressing disapproval.
Common phrases
- churlish behaviour
- churlish remark
- churlish refusal
- churlish response
- seem churlish
Synonyms
rude · brusque · gruff · miserly · stingy
Opposites
gracious · generous · polite
Word family
churlishly · churlishness
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use churlish as a synonym for shy or socially awkward, but it specifically implies deliberate rudeness or meanness, not mere social discomfort.
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