surly
4 synonyms and 1 antonym for surly, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Bad-tempered, unfriendly, and rude in manner.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use surly
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a surly teenager
surly attitude
a surly grunt
Etymology
A 16th-century alteration of "sirly", from "sir" + "-ly" — originally meant "lordly" or "arrogant" before shifting to today's "grumpy" sense.
Full origin of surly →Frequently asked questions
What does “surly” mean?
The word “surly” means bad-tempered, unfriendly, and rude in manner. In plain terms, grumpy, unfriendly, and short with people.
How do you pronounce “surly”?
“Surly” is pronounced SUR-lee (/ˈsɝli/ in IPA).
How do you use “surly” in a sentence?
Here is “surly” used in a sentence: “The surly waiter barely acknowledged us.”
What part of speech is “surly”?
“Surly” is an adjective.
Where does the word “surly” come from?
The word “surly” dates back to around 1500. A 16th-century alteration of "sirly", from "sir" + "-ly" — originally meant "lordly" or "arrogant" before shifting to today's "grumpy" sense.
