surliness

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈsɜːlɪnɪs/


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
sur•ly /ˈsɜrli/USA pronunciation   adj., -li•er, -li•est. 
  1. rude, unfriendly, hostile, or bad-tempered.
sur•li•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
sur•ly  (sûr′lē),USA pronunciation adj., -li•er, -li•est. 
  1. churlishly rude or bad-tempered:a surly waiter.
  2. unfriendly or hostile;
    menacingly irritable:a surly old lion.
  3. dark or dismal;
    menacing;
    threatening:a surly sky.
  4. [Obs.]lordly;
    arrogant.
  • spelling, spelled variant of obsolete sirly lordly, arrogant, equivalent. to sir + -ly 1560–70
sur′li•ly, adv. 
sur′li•ness, n. 
    • 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged sullen, irascible, cross, grumpy. See glum. 

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