boorish
Describes behavior that is rough, unrefined, and ill-mannered, typically lacking sensitivity or social grace. It suggests a lack of education or cultural sophistication in social interactions.
Examples
3 of 5He later apologized for his boorish behavior at the quiet dinner party.
He later apologized for his boorish behavior at the quiet dinner party.
The diplomat was heavily criticized for his boorish disregard for established international protocol.
The diplomat was heavily criticized for his boorish disregard for established international protocol.
I can't believe how boorish he was being, talking over everyone like that.
I can't believe how boorish he was being, talking over everyone like that.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'boar' (the wild pig) entering a fancy ballroom and knocking over the tea sets. A boar is boorish.
Quick Quiz
The guest's ______ comments at the wedding reception made everyone feel extremely uncomfortable.
Correct!
The correct answer is: boorish
Examples
He later apologized for his boorish behavior at the quiet dinner party.
everydayHe later apologized for his boorish behavior at the quiet dinner party.
The diplomat was heavily criticized for his boorish disregard for established international protocol.
formalThe diplomat was heavily criticized for his boorish disregard for established international protocol.
I can't believe how boorish he was being, talking over everyone like that.
informalI can't believe how boorish he was being, talking over everyone like that.
In the novel, the protagonist's boorish nature serves as a stark foil to the refined manners of the aristocracy.
academicIn the novel, the protagonist's boorish nature serves as a stark foil to the refined manners of the aristocracy.
A boorish attitude during high-stakes negotiations can permanently damage long-term corporate partnerships.
businessA boorish attitude during high-stakes negotiations can permanently damage long-term corporate partnerships.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
a boorish lout
a boorish lout
boorish display
boorish display
manifestly boorish
manifestly boorish
Often Confused With
Boring means uninteresting, while boorish means rude and unrefined.
Bourgeois refers to middle-class values or materialism, whereas boorish refers to a lack of manners.
Usage Notes
Boorish is specifically used for social conduct that is offensive because it is crude or insensitive to others' feelings. It is more common in written English and formal critiques than in casual speech.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use it to mean 'boring' due to the phonetic similarity, or mistake it for a verb because of the '-ish' ending which they might confuse with verb suffixes.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'boar' (the wild pig) entering a fancy ballroom and knocking over the tea sets. A boar is boorish.
Word Origin
Derived from the Dutch word 'boer', meaning a peasant or farmer, implying the lack of refinement associated with rural laborers in historical contexts.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Historically, the term reflects class-based distinctions where the manners of the 'peasantry' (boors) were contrasted with the 'refined' nobility.
Quick Quiz
The guest's ______ comments at the wedding reception made everyone feel extremely uncomfortable.
Correct!
The correct answer is: boorish
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