# Carl

/ˈkɑɹɫ/ (US) · /kˈɑːl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/carl
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a rude person

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

a very old word for a man who is rude, impolite, or has no manners.

For teachers: a man of low birth or one who is rude and ill-bred. This sense is archaic and rarely encountered outside of historical literature.

- In the old story, the carl refused to help the travellers find their way.
- The protagonist was described as a surly carl, more interested in his own comfort than in the plight of the villagers.

Teaching tip: This word is almost never used in modern conversation. Students will only see it in historical novels or poetry.

### 2. a stingy person

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Dialect

a person who does not like to spend money.

For teachers: a stingy or miserly person. This usage is primarily restricted to older Scots dialects and is now considered obsolete.

- The old carl would not give even a penny to the charity.
- He had a reputation as a bitter carl who hoarded his wealth while his neighbours struggled through the winter.

Teaching tip: Mostly found in Scottish literature; modern speakers would use 'miser' or 'cheapskate' instead.

## Examples

- Don't be such a Carl; come out to the party with us.
- He refused to go on the roller coaster, so his friends started calling him a Carl for the rest of the trip.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.