adjective
uncouth
uhn-KOOTH
Uncouth (adjective) means lacking good manners; crude or unrefined in behavior. Example: “His uncouth table manners embarrassed the whole family.”
adjective
1
Lacking good manners; crude or unrefined in behavior.
"His uncouth table manners embarrassed the whole family."
"She found his uncouth jokes more offensive than funny."
2
Clumsy or awkward in movement or expression.
"The uncouth phrasing made the letter hard to read."
How to use uncouth
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRough around the edges — lacking polish, manners, or refinement.
Common mistake
"Couth" on its own sounds like a joke word today, but uncouth is the standard form still in everyday use.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- uncouther, more uncouth
- Superlative
- uncouthest, most uncouth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His _____ table manners embarrassed the whole family.
Etymology
From Old English uncūþ, "unknown" — literally un- + couth (once meaning "known" or "familiar"). It shifted from meaning "strange" to meaning "crude," since anything unfamiliar seemed rough or unrefined.
Related words
Rhymes for uncouth
south
mouth
youth
vermouth
badmouth
Plymouth
Falmouth
bigmouth
loudmouth
Dartmouth
Portsmouth
Bournemouth
See all rhymes for uncouth →
Frequently asked questions
What does “uncouth” mean?
The word “uncouth” means lacking good manners; crude or unrefined in behavior. In plain terms, rough around the edges — lacking polish, manners, or refinement.
How do you pronounce “uncouth”?
“Uncouth” is pronounced uhn-KOOTH (/ʌnˈkuːθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “uncouth” in a sentence?
Here is “uncouth” used in a sentence: “His uncouth table manners embarrassed the whole family.”
What part of speech is “uncouth”?
“Uncouth” is an adjective.
Where does the word “uncouth” come from?
The word “uncouth” comes from Old English. From Old English uncūþ, "unknown" — literally un- + couth (once meaning "known" or "familiar"). It shifted from meaning "strange" to meaning "crude," since anything unfamiliar seemed rough or unrefined.
How many meanings does “uncouth” have?
“Uncouth” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: lacking good manners; crude or unrefined in behavior.
