uncouth

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'uncouth' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is ill-mannered, uncultured, or unsophisticated. For example, "She had an uncouth attitude that made her unpopular among her peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The idea for such an article had been pushed by two paragons of western European democracy – Italy and Austria – in the runup to enlargement, clearly out of fear of what those uncouth eastern Europeans might do (the irony being that sanctions – though not under article 7 – were first applied against Austria, when the far-right Freedom party joined the government in 2000).

The Guardian - Opinion

"If Nigerian journalism has come to be this, then God help Nigeria since nobody has monopoly on such uncouth conduct!" Moyo tweeted.

The Guardian

For 17 years General Pinochet ruled over a police state.He was uncouth and boorish, prone to banging the table with his revolver at junta meetings.

The Economist

I thought that endemic violence among a certain section of Britain's uncouth youth had always been the case, regardless of the state of the economy.

The Economist

These are two novels about the obverse side of the American South, the side that is often violent, uncouth, inbred and hostile to outsiders.

The Economist

His spasmodic efforts to affect it in favour of his interests in any one of the newspapers which he from time to time owned or controlled were singularly maladroit and uncouth.

The Economist

But Britain's current parliament is taking indolence to rarely explored levels.In its youth, the coalition government was vigorous and uncouth.

The Economist

Ordinary Berliners, uncouth and rowdy in the eyes of foreign observers down the centuries, get a bad press.The next few decades look like being Berlin's turn, however.

The Economist

But its learning curve has been painfully long, its manners uncouth and its coalition partners loutish.

The Economist

Some visited "home" to find ruined, brutalised countries they hardly knew, full of uncouth people, they sometimes (tactlessly) complained, speaking slang peppered with ugly Russianisms.

The Economist

The mixture of public anonymity and tech prowess has put such sites on the defensive as they attempt to combat spam and uncouth behaviour.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "uncouth", provide specific examples of their behavior to illustrate the lack of refinement you are referring to.

Common error

Avoid using "uncouth" in highly formal or academic writing; consider more nuanced and professional terms depending on the specific context, such as "unrefined" or "boorish".

Linguistic Context

The adjective "uncouth" primarily functions as a descriptive term, modifying nouns to indicate a lack of refinement, manners, or sophistication. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, aligning with examples where it describes people's behavior or characteristics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

33%

Independent

15%

Less common in

The New Yorker

2%

The Guardian - Opinion

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "uncouth" is a grammatically correct adjective used to describe a lack of refinement or good manners. Ludwig highlights its usage across various contexts, from news articles to encyclopedias. While the term is generally considered neutral in register, it's important to be mindful of the context and audience when using it, as it can carry a negative connotation. Alternatives like "boorish" or "unrefined" can offer nuanced alternatives, depending on the specific situation. According to Ludwig, the term is frequently found in News & Media and Encyclopedias.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ill-mannered

This directly indicates a lack of good manners, emphasizing improper behavior in social situations.

unrefined

This directly states a lack of refinement, emphasizing a need for improvement in manners or taste.

unsophisticated

This highlights a lack of worldly experience or knowledge, suggesting a naive or simple nature.

boorish

This alternative implies a lack of manners and insensitivity, often associated with crude behavior.

crude

This suggests a lack of sophistication or polish, emphasizing a raw or unrefined quality.

coarse

This implies roughness or lack of delicacy, suggesting a lack of gentility in behavior or speech.

vulgar

This highlights a lack of good taste or refinement, often offensive or inappropriate in social settings.

loutish

This suggests clumsiness and awkwardness in social interactions, indicating a lack of grace.

indecorous

This implies a violation of accepted standards of good behavior, emphasizing inappropriateness in conduct.

uncivilized

This implies a lack of cultural refinement or social development, suggesting a primitive or barbaric quality.

FAQs

How can I use "uncouth" in a sentence?

You can use "uncouth" to describe someone's behavior or manners as being unrefined or socially unacceptable. For example, "His "uncouth behavior" at the dinner party was embarrassing."

What words can I use instead of "uncouth"?

Alternatives to "uncouth" include "boorish", "crude", "vulgar", or "unrefined". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "uncouth" and "rude"?

"Rude" generally implies a direct act of disrespect or impoliteness. "Uncouth" suggests a more general lack of refinement or social grace, which may or may not involve a direct insult.

Is "uncouth" a formal or informal word?

"Uncouth" is generally considered a somewhat formal word, but can be used in neutral contexts. It is less common in very informal conversation.