churlish

/ˈtʃɜːlɪʃ/

Group 11Difficulty 2/3

Definition

(adjective)
Rude in a mean-spirited and surly way
GRE

Example in Context

It would be churlish to refuse the invitation after the host had gone to such extraordinary lengths to accommodate everyone.

Synonyms

rudegrumpyill-mannered

Etymology

Having the qualities of a rude peasant.

  • churl (Old English) — a peasant
  • -ish (Old English) — having the quality of

Memory Aid

😡Sounds like “churl-ish

If you act CHURLISH, you might just get kicked out of the CHURCH for being a rude jerk!

Visual Association

😤A person scowling and crossing their arms at a gathering, refusing to share snacks.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “churlish” mean on the GRE?

churlish (adjective) means “Rude in a mean-spirited and surly way”. It would be churlish to refuse the invitation after the host had gone to such extraordinary lengths to accommodate everyone.

How to remember “churlish” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “churlish” sounds like “churl-ish”. If you act CHURLISH, you might just get kicked out of the CHURCH for being a rude jerk!

What are synonyms for “churlish”?

Common synonyms: rude, grumpy, ill-mannered.