Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Surly

Sur′ly

(sûr′ly̆)
,
Adj.
[
Com
par.
Surlier
(sûr′lĭ-ẽr)
;
sup
erl.
Surliest
.]
[Probably from
sir
, and originally meaning,
sirlike
, i.e., proud. See
Sir
, and
Like
,
Adj.
]
1.
Arrogant; haughty.
[Obs.]
Cotgrave.
2.
Gloomily morose; ill-natured, abrupt, and rude; severe; sour; crabbed; rough; sullen; gloomy;
as, a
surly
groom; a
surly
dog;
surly
language; a
surly
look
.
“That surly spirit, melancholy.”
Shak.
3.
Rough; dark; tempestuous.
Now softened into joy the
surly
storm.
Thomson.

Webster 1828 Edition


Surly

SUR'LY

, a.
1.
Gloomily morose; crabbed; snarling; sternly sour; rough; cross and rude; as a surly groom; a surly dog.
That surly spirit, melancholy.
2.
Rough; dark; tempestuous.
Now soften'd into joy the surly storm.

Definition 2024


surly

surly

English

Adjective

surly (comparative surlier, superlative surliest)

  1. (obsolete) Lordly, arrogant, supercilious.
  2. Irritated, bad-tempered, unfriendly.
  3. Threatening, menacing, gloomy.
    The surly weather put us all in a bad mood.

Translations

Adverb

surly (comparative surlier, superlative surliest)

  1. (obsolete) In an arrogant or supercilious manner.
    • 1623, William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, I.iii,
      Against the Capitol I met a lion / Who glazed upon me, and went surly