churlish Hear it!

churlish Definition

churl·ish (c̸hʉrlis̸h)

adjective

  1. of a churl or churls; rustic
  2. like a churl; surly; boorish
  3. stingy or mean
  4. Now Rare hard to work or manage

churlish Related Forms
churl·ishly adverb churl·ish·ness noun
churlish Synonyms

churlish

modif.

surly, boorish, ungracious, base; see rude 1, 2, vulgar 1.

churlish Usage Examples

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • seem: However, when Dangercon announced that the Farber Fund would be the official convention charity, it seemed a bit churlish not to go.

Infinitive complement

  • complain: Still, for a mere 50 quid it seems churlish to complain about the software.
  • criticize: It seems churlish to criticize such a worthy volume for offering too much, but do walkers really need so much detailed data?
  • deny: It would seem churlish to deny the free offer.
  • acknowledge: It would be churlish not to acknowledge that progress has been made.
  • refuse: However, having stopped to talk to him, it would have been churlish to refuse the offer of a sample.
  • suggest: It would be churlish to suggest that this was anyone's fault.

Modifying Another Word

  • almost: So it seems almost churlish to quibble about a name.
  • rather: Thought it was rather churlish of him to desert his fellows.
  • little: Considering it was probably the last time we will ever get to hear him play, perhaps it seems a little churlish to complain.
  • so: Then again I wouldn't be so churlish as to oppose the Scots or Welsh having a bank holiday on their national day.
  • very: It would have been very churlish not to be in it.
  • somewhat: That said, it would be somewhat churlish to vote against additional moneys for the good cause that we have being hearing about.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: Still, for a mere 50 quid it seems churlish to complain about the software.
  • feel: It feels churlish that I usually make my excuses.
  • sound: I didn't want to sound churlish on his page.
  • look: I'm reluctant to slay this sacred cow because it looks plain churlish, but somebody has to call it.

Modifies a noun

  • disposition: My master is of churlish disposition, And little recks to find the way to heaven By doing deeds of hospitality.
  • man: A small, churlish voice to suit a small, churlish man.
  • question: At first sight this may seem a churlish question.

Browse dictionary entries near churlish

  1. churl
  2. churchyard
  3. churchy
  4. churchwoman
  5. churchwarden
  6. churchman
  7. churchly
  8. Churchill Falls
  9. Churchill
  10. churchgoer
  1. churlishness
  2. churn
  3. churning
  4. churr
  5. chute
  6. chute-the-chute
  7. chutney
  8. chutzpah
  9. chyle
  10. chylomicron