surly
Surly (adj) means Bad-tempered, unfriendly, and rude in manner. Example: “The surly waiter barely acknowledged us.”
How to use surly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGrumpy, unfriendly, and short with people.
Word forms
surlier comparative, surlier comparative, surliest superlative, surliest superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ waiter barely acknowledged us.
Etymology
A 16th-century alteration of "sirly", from "sir" + "-ly" — originally meant "lordly" or "arrogant" before shifting to today's "grumpy" sense.
Rhymes for surly
See all rhymes for 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.