adjective
sulky
SUHL-kee
Sulky (adjective) means Silent and bad-tempered, especially after being upset about something. Example: “The teenager gave a sulky shrug and left the room.”
adjective
1
Silent and bad-tempered, especially after being upset about something.
"The teenager gave a sulky shrug and left the room."
noun
1
A light, two-wheeled cart pulled by a single horse, used in harness racing.
"The trainer drove the sulky around the track at dawn."
How to use sulky
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMoody and withdrawn, or (as a noun) a one-person horse-drawn racing cart.
Common pairings
a sulky teenager
sulky racing
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Word forms
- Plural
- sulkies
- Comparative
- sulkier
- Superlative
- sulkiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The teenager gave a _____ shrug and left the room.
Etymology
Related to sulk; the cart sense comes from the idea that it seats only one rider, "as if sulking" alone.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sulky
See all rhymes for 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 In plain terms, moody and withdrawn, or (as a noun) a one-person horse-drawn racing cart.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.
