Basic Details
Word: Discourteous
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Not polite or respectful; rude.
Synonyms: Rude, impolite, disrespectful
Antonyms: Courteous, polite, respectful
Idioms and Phrases
- It's all in the manners: This phrase is used to remind someone that respectful behaviour matters. Example: "Remember, it's all in the manners; being discourteous won't get you far."
- Mind your P's and Q's: This idiom means to be careful about how you behave and speak to others. Example: "At the dinner party, she was reminded to mind her P's and Q's to avoid being discourteous."
Usage Examples
Example 1: It was discourteous of him to interrupt the teacher while she was speaking.
Example 2: She found his discourteous remarks really hurtful during the group discussion.
Example 3: Being discourteous to guests is not acceptable in our home.
Fun Fact
The word "discourteous" comes from the combination of "dis-" meaning "not" and "courteous," which describes good manners. The term can be traced back to the late 15th century when courtesy was a strong societal expectation.
Famous Quote
"Politeness is the flower of humanity." Joseph Joubert
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "discourteous" mean?
a) Very polite
b) Not polite or respectful
c) Friendly and welcoming
d) Calm and collected
Answer: b) Not polite or respectful
2. Which of these is a synonym of "discourteous"?
a) Respectful
b) Impolite
c) Courteous
d) Kind
Answer: b) Impolite
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "discourteous"?
a) Rude
b) Disrespectful
c) Polite
d) Irregular
Answer: c) Polite
4. Which sentence uses "discourteous" correctly?
a) It was discourteous to help her teammate with homework.
b) He was discourteous when he forgot to say thank you.
c) She was discourteous because she complimented his work.
d) It was discourteous to wear a costume at the formal event.
Answer: b) He was discourteous when he forgot to say thank you.
5. Which idiom relates to being 'discourteous'?
a) Mind your P's and Q's
b) A wolf in sheep's clothing
c) As clear as mud
d) A piece of cake
Answer: a) Mind your P's and Q's
