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churlish

Adjective

IPA /ˈtʃɜːlɪʃ/

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Meaning in plain English

Rude and unpleasant, especially when a kinder response would be expected.

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Pronunciation

churlish/ˈtʃɜːlɪʃ/

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A neighbour offers help
The offer receives a rude reply

A churlish response is unpleasant when kindness would be more appropriate.

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It seemed churlish to complain after they had cooked for us.
He regretted his churlish reply to a helpful suggestion.

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It seemed ________ to complain after they had cooked for us.

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churlish — Rude and unpleasant, especially when a kinder response would be expected.

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Rude and unpleasant, especially when a kinder response would be expected.

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Word origin

From Old English ceorlisc or cierlisc, formed from the word that became churl.

Did you know?

It would be churlish to refuse is a useful pattern for describing an ungracious response.

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