Uncouth is an adjective meaning rough in manners or lacking refinement and grace. To use uncouth in a sentence, place it before the noun it judges or after a linking verb: An uncouth remark ended the dinner. The word is disapproving and usually describes a person or their behaviour.
Uncouth at a glance
- Uncouth is an adjective; the adverb is uncouthly and the noun is uncouthness.
- It takes more and most, not -er and -est, for the comparative and superlative.
- It is predicative as well as attributive: his manners were uncouth works fine.
- The usual collocations are uncouth behaviour, an uncouth remark and an uncouth man.
- The commonest error is writing uncouther instead of more uncouth.
What does uncouth mean?
Uncouth is an adjective meaning rough or awkward in manners and lacking social refinement. The Cambridge Dictionary entry for uncouth records this sense of being unpolished or unmannerly, and the close synonym ill-mannered isolates the rudeness that uncouth includes. In its literary use, uncouth can describe a rough, unpolished style as well as a person, near to clumsy.
| Sense | Plain meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Bad manners | Rude and unmannerly behaviour | He made an uncouth remark about her cooking. |
| Lack of refinement | Rough and unpolished in style | The early poems are uncouth but honest. |
How do you use uncouth in a sentence?
| Pattern | Example | What it signals |
|---|---|---|
| be + uncouth | His table manners were uncouth. | Predicative use after a linking verb. |
| uncouth + noun | She regretted her uncouth comment. | Attributive use before the noun it judges. |
| sound/look + uncouth | The joke sounded uncouth to the guests. | Links the word to an impression. |
| too uncouth for + noun | The sketch was too uncouth for a school show. | Measures the word against a standard. |
| rather/quite + uncouth | The toast was rather uncouth. | An intensifier softens the judgement. |
Uncouth in a sentence: examples across contexts
| Context | Example sentence | Why this works |
|---|---|---|
| Conversation | His uncouth joke landed like a dropped plate. | A concrete image shows the social damage. |
| Restaurant review | The food was fine, but an uncouth waiter spoiled the evening. | Applies the word to a person’s conduct, not the food. |
| Letter of complaint | I was shocked by the uncouth language used in your reply. | Formal register with a specific behaviour named. |
| Literary criticism | The novel’s uncouth style was once seen as a fault. | Uses the refinement sense for writing. |
| Sports report | An uncouth chant from the stands halted play. | Shows the word describing manner rather than a person. |
| Classroom | The teacher explained why an uncouth tone ends a discussion. | Ties the word to a teachable consequence. |
| Diary | I felt uncouth beside my polished cousins. | Predicative use showing self-judgement. |
| Editorial | An uncouth exchange on the floor distracted from the vote. | Keeps the focus on a public moment of behaviour. |
Uncouth vs boorish
Uncouth judges how refined someone seems; boorish judges how they treat other people. Both disapprove, but they aim at different faults.
| Attribute | Uncouth | Boorish |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Rough, awkward, lacking refinement | Rude and insensitive to others |
| What it targets | How someone comes across | How someone treats people |
| Typical behaviour | awkward remarks, poor manners, unpolished style | loud interruptions, ignoring others, offensive jokes |
| Intention | Can be unintentional awkwardness | Implies disregard for others |
| Register | Disapproving, slightly old-fashioned | Disapproving, more neutral |
| What it implies | A lack of polish | A lack of consideration |
Use uncouth for roughness and missing polish, and boorish when the rudeness is aimed at other people. If the fault is rough language or texture, coarse is more exact, while vulgar suggests indecency and is stronger than uncouth.
An honest limit: uncouth is a strongly negative word, so it cannot be used as faint praise, and it says nothing about a person’s morals, only their manners. Do not confuse it with rustic, which describes plain country style without any insult at all.
Word forms and grammar of uncouth
| Form | Part of speech | Example |
|---|---|---|
| uncouth | adjective | an uncouth joke |
| more uncouth | comparative | The second draft was more uncouth than the first. |
| most uncouth | superlative | the most uncouth remark of the evening |
| uncouthly | adverb | He laughed uncouthly at the solemn moment. |
| uncouthness | noun | The uncouthness of the sketch shocked the audience. |
| uncouther | non-standard | Wrong; write more uncouth. |
Common mistakes with uncouth
He is more uncouther than his brother.→ He is more uncouth than his brother. — Rule: uncouth takes more and most; do not add -er.Her uncouth was obvious.→ Her uncouth behaviour was obvious. — Rule: uncouth is an adjective; the noun is uncouthness.He spoke uncouth.→ He spoke uncouthly. — Rule: modify a verb with the adverb uncouthly, not the adjective.Uncouth people is rude.→ Uncouth people are rude. — Rule: a plural subject takes a plural verb.The rustic cottage looked uncouth and charming.→ The rustic cottage looked charming. — Rule: uncouth is strongly negative, so it clashes with praise; rustic is the neutral word for country style.
Practice using uncouth
- Fill in the blank: His loud burp was considered ___ at the formal dinner.
- Choose the better word: The guest ignored everyone and shouted over them, a truly ___ performance. (uncouth / boorish)
- Correct the error: She was the uncouthest person at the table.
- Build a sentence: use uncouth before a noun to describe a remark.
- Spot the register: which sentence belongs in a written complaint? (a) The waiter’s uncouth manner spoiled our meal. (b) The waiter was, like, super rude and weird.
- Fill in the blank: He laughed ___ during the silent minute.
Answers
- uncouth — the adjective follows the linking verb was and judges the behaviour.
- boorish — the rudeness is aimed at other people, which is the fault boorish names.
- She was the most uncouth person at the table. — Uncouth takes most, not -est, for the superlative.
- Sample: He regretted the uncouth remark as soon as it left his mouth. — The adjective sits directly before the noun remark.
- (a) — uncouth suits formal, written complaint; the second option is casual and vague.
- uncouthly — the adverb modifies the verb laughed.
The bottom line
Uncouth is a disapproving adjective meaning rough in manners or lacking refinement, and using uncouth in a sentence means placing it before a noun or after a linking verb. It takes more and most rather than -er and -est, and its noun is uncouthness. Keep it apart from boorish, which targets rudeness toward people, and from rustic, which carries no insult at all.
Frequently asked questions about uncouth
How do you pronounce uncouth?
It is said un-KOOTH, with the stress on the second syllable and a long oo sound, as in tooth. The un- is a simple prefix, not unstressed to the point of disappearing. The final th is voiceless, as in both, so the word does not rhyme with smooth, which ends in a voiced th.
What is the comparative of uncouth?
The comparative is more uncouth and the superlative is most uncouth. The adjective does not take -er or -est, so uncouther and uncouthest are wrong even though they sound plausible. The same pattern applies to uncouthly and uncouthness, which keep the full base without dropping a letter.
Is uncouth the same as rude?
Not exactly. Rude names a lack of courtesy in general, while uncouth stresses roughness and missing refinement, which can be awkward rather than deliberately offensive. A person can be uncouth without meaning harm, but rudeness usually points to a failure of respect that the person could have controlled.
Is uncouth an adjective or a noun?
It is an adjective, so it describes a person, behaviour or style, as in an uncouth remark or his manners were uncouth. The noun is uncouthness, meaning the quality of being uncouth, and the adverb is uncouthly. Writing her uncouth was obvious is wrong because it treats the adjective as a noun.
Are you familiar with the term “uncouth”? This word is used to describe behavior or manners that are lacking in refinement or etiquette.
In other words, when someone behaves in an uncouth manner, they are typically seen as rude, vulgar, or socially inappropriate.
7 Examples Of Uncouth Used In a Sentence For Kids
- Uncouth means not behaving politely.
- We should always try to avoid being uncouth.
- It’s important to say “please” and “thank you” to others and not be uncouth.
- Let’s remember to use good manners and not be uncouth.
- People might feel sad if we are uncouth to them.
- Being polite and respectful is better than being uncouth.
- We should always try to make others feel happy and not be uncouth.
14 Sentences with Uncouth Examples
- The uncouth behavior of some students during the lecture was disrespectful.
- It is considered uncouth to talk loudly in the library.
- Using foul language in public is seen as uncouth.
- It is important to avoid making uncouth remarks during group discussions.
- Skipping classes without informing the professor is seen as uncouth behavior.
- Asking personal questions to classmates can come off as uncouth.
- Eating noisily in the dormitories is considered uncouth.
- Being rude to staff members at the canteen is highly uncouth.
- Laughing loudly during serious presentations can be perceived as uncouth.
- It is crucial to dress appropriately for college events to avoid an uncouth appearance.
- Taking other students’ belongings without permission is uncouth.
- Sending offensive memes in the college WhatsApp group is considered uncouth.
- Making fun of someone’s academic struggles is definitely uncouth.
- Trying to cheat on exams is not only unethical but also very uncouth.
How To Use Uncouth in Sentences?
Uncouth is used to describe someone or something that is socially awkward, rude, or lacking in manners. Here’s a beginner’s guide on how to use uncouth in a sentence:
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“The man’s uncouth behavior at the dinner party offended many guests.”
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“Her uncouth language shocked her classmates.”
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“The uncouth appearance of the old building was a stark contrast to the modern skyscrapers surrounding it.”
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“Despite his uncouth manners, he was a talented artist.”
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“The uncouth jokes he told made everyone in the room uncomfortable.”
Remember to use uncouth when you want to express that someone or something is acting in a way that is not considered to be polite or socially acceptable. It is a strong word, so be mindful of the context in which you use it. With these examples, you should now have a good idea of how to incorporate uncouth into your sentences effectively.
Conclusion
In summary, the sentences with uncouth language are often rude, offensive, or impolite in nature, lacking refinement or manners. These sentences can be distasteful or socially unacceptable, conveying a sense of crudeness or vulgarity. It is important to be mindful of the impact such uncouth sentences can have on others and to strive for more respectful and courteous communication.
By avoiding the use of uncouth language and opting for more tactful and considerate wording, individuals can foster better relationships and create a more inclusive and positive environment. Choosing to express oneself with politeness and sensitivity can lead to clearer understanding and more effective communication, ultimately benefiting both the speaker and the listener.
