uncouth

/ʌnˈkuːθ/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈʌnkˈuθ] /ʌnˈkuːθ/ (ame, ipa) · [ˈʌnkˈuθ] /ən-ˈküth How to pronounce uncouth (audio)/ (ame, mw)

uncouth — adjective

  • uncouthpositive
  • more uncouthcomparative
  • most uncouthsuperlative

1. behaving in a rough or impolite way that makes other people feel uncomfortable o

1.形容詞C1
釋義

behaving in a rough or impolite way that makes other people feel uncomfortable or offended

例句

Imran gave an uncouth laugh while the bride's father was speaking.

uncouth + laugh showing rude behaviour in a formal setting

Felipe seemed uncouth at dinner, talking with food in his mouth.

predicative: seem uncouth in a social situation

同義詞
  • rude

    the everyday word; 'uncouth' sounds more formal and often implies lack of polish as well

  • boorish

    stronger and more judgmental; suggests heavy, stubborn bad manners

  • crude

    often focuses on offensive jokes or language rather than general behaviour

  • ill-mannered

    plain descriptive label for someone who has not learned polite behaviour

反義詞
  • polite

    shows consideration and good social behaviour

  • courteous

    more formal; stresses respectful treatment of other people

用法筆記

Usually describes visible social behaviour such as laughing, interrupting, or speaking at the wrong moment. Distinguish from sense 2, which judges style or taste rather than a person's manners in a particular situation.

常見錯誤

❌The old sofa is uncouth.
✅The old sofa looks rough or ugly.
💡sense 1 is about bad manners, not the shape of an object.
❌She spoke uncouth to the teacher.
✅She spoke in an uncouth way to the teacher.
💡'uncouth' is mainly used as an adjective, not as an adverb.

2. not showing graceful style or good taste; coarse rather than polished

2.形容詞C2
釋義

not showing graceful style or good taste; coarse rather than polished

例句

Critics dismissed the film's uncouth humor and flashy dance scenes.

uncouth describing artistic taste rather than one person's manners

The lobby looked uncouth with plastic flowers and gold paint everywhere.

look uncouth + details of decoration

同義詞
  • coarse

    close in meaning, especially for language or humor that feels rough and low in taste

  • vulgar

    stronger and more openly negative; often suggests sexual or flashy bad taste

  • tasteless

    focuses on poor artistic or social judgment rather than rough behaviour

  • unpolished

    can be milder; may simply mean not refined or not finished

反義詞
  • refined

    showing careful taste and graceful style

  • elegant

    stresses beauty, restraint, and polish in style

用法筆記

More often used for language, clothing, decoration, humor, or entertainment than for one rude act. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 criticises a lack of polish or taste, not simply bad table manners.

常見錯誤

❌The waiter was uncouth because the room was ugly.
✅The room looked uncouth because of the ugly design.
💡sense 2 criticises style or taste, not the waiter as a person.
❌The student was uncouth because he pushed past everyone.
✅The student was uncouth in the queue.
💡pushing past people is sense 1 bad manners, not sense 2 lack of refinement.