boorish

adjective

boor·​ish ˈbu̇r-ish 

: resembling or befitting a rude or insensitive person : resembling or befitting a boor

boorish remarks

boorishly adverb

boorishness noun

Synonyms

• loutish
• uncouth
• classless
• churlish
• clownish
• stupid
• cloddish
• vulgar

Choose the Right Synonym for boorish

boorish, churlish, loutish, clownish mean uncouth in manners or appearance.

boorish implies rudeness of manner due to insensitiveness to others' feelings and unwillingness to be agreeable.

a drunk's boorish behavior

churlish suggests surliness, unresponsiveness, and ungraciousness.

churlish remarks

loutish implies bodily awkwardness together with stupidity.

a loutish oaf

clownish suggests ill-bred awkwardness, ignorance or stupidity, ungainliness, and often a propensity for absurd antics.

an adolescent's clownish conduct

Examples of boorish in a Sentence

boorish behavior, such as yelling for service in restaurants

Recent Examples on the Web

Depicting Americans as arrogant, loud, boorish and demeaning of other cultures, the term has stuck and is still mentioned 60-plus years later. —Jenny Peters, Oc Register, 4 Aug. 2025

Lownie’s book chronicles other pretty outrageous, boorish behavior by Andrew, both in the company of his pedophile friend, the late American financier Jeffrey Epstein, and on his own. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2025

His boorish behavior was condemned by others silently and did not affect the solemnity of the ceremony. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2025

While the boorish behavior of Twain’s shipmates is cataloged throughout (snapping off pieces of ancient monuments for souvenirs, for instance), his most flamboyant portrayal is a self-portrait. —Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 5 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

see boor

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for boorish

• moorish