Search Dictionary
Definition of churlish

churlish

/ˈtʃɜːr.lɪʃ/
churl · ish
Adverb:churlishly
JUMP TO:

churlish Lexical Profile

churlish Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Rude, ill-mannered, or mean-spirited in a surly or ungracious way.

Example

"It would seem churlish to refuse such a generous invitation to dinner."

2

Intractable or difficult to work with, cultivate, or manage (such as harsh soil or rough weather).

Example

"The early settlers struggled for years to grow crops in the churlish, rocky soil."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for churlish
Antonyms
View all antonyms for churlish

• Rhymes for churlish

• Nearby Words

churchwoman
churchy
churchyard
churlish
churlishly
churlishness
churn

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'cierlisc', meaning 'of or pertaining to a churl' (a freeman of the lowest rank or peasant). Over time, class-based prejudice caused the word's meaning to shift from describing low social status to denoting rude, ill-bred, or stingy behavior.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Churlish. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/churlish
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.