sulky
5 synonyms and 1 antonym for sulky, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Silent and bad-tempered, especially after being upset about something.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use sulky
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a sulky teenager
sulky racing
Etymology
Related to sulk; the cart sense comes from the idea that it seats only one rider, "as if sulking" alone.
Full origin of sulky →Frequently asked questions
What does “sulky” mean?
The word “sulky” means silent and bad-tempered, especially after being upset about something. In plain terms, moody and withdrawn, or (as a noun) a one-person horse-drawn racing cart.
How do you pronounce “sulky”?
“Sulky” is pronounced SUHL-kee (/ˈsʌlki/ in IPA).
How do you use “sulky” in a sentence?
Here is “sulky” used in a sentence: “The teenager gave a sulky shrug and left the room.”
What part of speech is “sulky”?
Depending on how it is used, “sulky” can be an adjective and a noun.
How many meanings does “sulky” have?
“Sulky” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: silent and bad-tempered, especially after being upset about something.
