Boorish means rude, crude, and lacking good manners or consideration for others. A boorish person acts in ways that make others uncomfortable: talking loudly during a movie, interrupting constantly, or making crude jokes that aren't funny to anyone else. Think of someone who burps at the dinner table without saying “excuse me,” grabs food off other people's plates, or brags endlessly about themselves without caring if anyone's actually listening.

The word suggests consistent, habitual rudeness. Someone having a bad day might snap at a friend, but a boorish person regularly ignores basic courtesy and seems unaware or unconcerned about how their behavior affects others. A boorish guest might track mud through someone's house without apologizing, criticize the food at a dinner party, or monopolize every conversation.

Today, boorish behavior has nothing to do with someone's background or education. Anyone, regardless of where they're from, can act boorishly by ignoring the feelings and comfort of the people around them. When someone's behavior is boorish, they're showing a lack of respect that can make social situations unpleasant for everyone else.