C1 verb Neutral

boorish

/ˈbʊər.ɪʃ/

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 5
1

He later apologized for his boorish behavior at the quiet dinner party.

He later apologized for his boorish behavior at the quiet dinner party.

2

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.

3

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

Noun
boorishness
Adverb
boorishly
Adjective
boorish
Related
boor
💡

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

1

He later apologized for his boorish behavior at the quiet dinner party.

everyday

He later apologized for his boorish behavior at the quiet dinner party.

2

The diplomat was heavily criticized for his boorish disregard for established international protocol.

formal

The diplomat was heavily criticized for his boorish disregard for established international protocol.

3

I can't believe how boorish he was being, talking over everyone like that.

informal

I can't believe how boorish he was being, talking over everyone like that.

4

In the novel, the protagonist's boorish nature serves as a stark foil to the refined manners of the aristocracy.

academic

In the novel, the protagonist's boorish nature serves as a stark foil to the refined manners of the aristocracy.

5

A boorish attitude during high-stakes negotiations can permanently damage long-term corporate partnerships.

business

A boorish attitude during high-stakes negotiations can permanently damage long-term corporate partnerships.

Word Family

Noun
boorishness
Adverb
boorishly
Adjective
boorish
Related
boor

Common Collocations

boorish behavior boorish behavior
boorish remarks boorish remarks
boorish conduct boorish conduct
boorish manner boorish manner
boorish attitude boorish attitude

Common Phrases

a boorish lout

a boorish lout

boorish display

boorish display

manifestly boorish

manifestly boorish

Often Confused With

boorish vs boring

Boring means uninteresting, while boorish means rude and unrefined.

boorish vs bourgeois

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

attributive adjective (a boorish man) predicative adjective (his behavior was boorish) modified by 'highly' or 'extremely'
🌍

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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antipathy

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antithesis

C1

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C1

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amenable

C1

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C1

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