1. Rude; surly; austere; sullen; rough in temper; unfeeling; uncivil.

2. Selfish; narrow-minded; avaricious.

3. Unpliant; unyielding; cross-grained; harsh; unmanageable; as churlish metal.

4. Hard; firm; as a churlish knot.

5. Obstinate; as a churlish war.