Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
surly
Adjective
/ˈsɜːr li/
Definition
Bad-tempered and unfriendly.
Examples
- He had a surly expression when he arrived at the party.
- The surly waiter barely acknowledged our presence.
- Despite her usual cheerfulness, she had a surly attitude that day.
Meaning
Surly refers to a person’s demeanor that is grumpy, sullen, or unfriendly. It’s often used to describe someone who is not in a pleasant mood and is likely to be rude or ill-tempered.
Synonyms
- grumpy
- ill-tempered
- gloomy
- sullen
- cross
