uncouth

un·couth

adj \ən-ˈküth\

Definition of UNCOUTH

1

a archaic : not known or not familiar to one : seldom experienced : uncommon, rare b obsolete : mysterious, uncanny

2

a : strange or clumsy in shape or appearance : outlandish b : lacking in polish and grace : rugged <uncouth verse> c : awkward and uncultivated in appearance, manner, or behavior : rude

— un·couth·ly adverb

— un·couth·ness noun

Examples of UNCOUTH

1. People thought he was uncouth and uncivilized.
2. <will not tolerate any uncouth behavior, such as eating with one's mouth open>

Origin of UNCOUTH

Middle English, from Old English uncūth, from un- + cūth familiar, known; akin to Old High German kund known, Old English can know — more at can

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to UNCOUTH

Synonyms: boorish, churlish, classless, cloddish, loutish, clownish

Antonyms: civilized, cultivated, cultured, genteel, polished, refined, smooth, tasteful, ultrarefined, well-bred

Related Words: coarse, ill-bred, uncultivated, unpolished, unrefined, unsophisticated; tasteless, vulgar; beastly, bestial; doltish, oafish, stupid; discourteous, impolite, mannerless, misleared [chiefly Scottish], rude, uncivil, ungracious, unmannerly; awkward, ungainly

Near Antonyms: couth, cultivated, polished, refined, sophisticated, well-bred; classy, courtly, genteel, gentlemanly, ladylike; civil, courteous, polite

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

Rhymes with UNCOUTH

bucktooth, cheek tooth, dogtooth, Duluth, egg tooth, eyetooth, forsooth, half-truth, home truth, houndstooth, in truth, Kossuth, milk tooth, sawtooth, selcouth, sweet tooth, tollbooth, untruth, vermouth