surly

sur·ly

adjective \ˈsər-lē\

sur·li·ersur·li·est

Definition of SURLY

1

: menacing or threatening in appearance <surly weather>

2

obsolete : arrogant, imperious

3

: irritably sullen and churlish in mood or manner : crabbed

— sur·li·ly \-lə-lē\ adverb

— sur·li·ness \-lē-nəs\ noun

— surly adverb

Examples of SURLY

1. <went about his chores in a surly huff, totally annoyed that he was stuck at home on this beautiful Saturday>
2. <the surly receptionist told us we'd have to wait outside in the rain>

Origin of SURLY

alteration of Middle English serreli lordly, imperious, probably from sire, ser sire

First Known Use: 1523

Related to SURLY

Synonyms

glum, mopey, pouting, pouty, sullen, sulky

Antonyms

amiable, good-humored, good-natured, good-tempered

Related Words

dour, gloomy, morose; choleric, crabby, cranky, cross, crotchety, grouchy, grumpy, irascible, irritable, peevish, perverse, pettish, petulant, prickly, quick-tempered, raspy, ratty, short-tempered, snappish, snappy, snarky, snippety, snippy, testy, waspish; brooding, moping; bearish, bilious, cantankerous, disagreeable, dyspeptic, ill-humored, ill-natured, ill-tempered, ornery; huffy, sensitive, temperamental, tetchy, thin-skinned, touchy

Near Antonyms

sociable; cheerful, cheery, gladsome, good-humored, good-natured, good-tempered, perky, sunny; carefree, easygoing, happy-go-lucky, relaxed

See Synonym Discussion at sullen

Rhymes with SURLY

burley, burly, curly, early, girlie, hurly, knurly, pearly, swirly, twirly, whirly