World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English Dictionariesacerbe
Pronunciation / Transliteration: a-sɛʁb
"Il a fait un commentaire acerbe."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
1 sense- 1
Bad-tempered, unfriendly, and inclined to low-spirited or rude hostility.
"The waiter gave a surly nod and slammed the menu onto the table."
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Originating from Middle English as 'surlich', it is a contraction of the phrase 'sir-like', originally meaning 'lordly' or 'arrogant'. Over time, the meaning shifted from haughty superiority to sullen, rude, and uncivil behavior.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Surly"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Surly" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
acerbe
Transliteration: a-sɛʁb
"Il a fait un commentaire acerbe."
mürrisch
Transliteration: mʏʁɪʃ
"Der Kellner war heute sehr mürrisch."
morso
Transliteration: mɔrbozo
Script: scontroso
"Ha risposto con un tono scontroso."
arisco
Transliteration: aˈɾisko
"El dependiente tenía un carácter muy arisco."
grisalho
Transliteration: mɔʁˈzɔ
Script: morcão
"Ele estava com um humor morcão hoje."
रुखा
Transliteration: rukhā
Script: हिंदी देवनागरी
"उसका व्यवहार बहुत रुखा था।"
暴躁的
Transliteration: bào zào de
Script: 中文汉字
"店员态度很暴躁。"
퉁명스러운
Transliteration: tungmyeongseureoun
Script: 한국어 한글
"그는 퉁명스러운 목소리로 대답했다."
不機嫌な
Transliteration: fukigen na
Script: 日本語
"彼は不機嫌な返事をした。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all French termsTo think carefully about something, typically before making a decision.
A formal, documented account of findings, investigations, or statistics issued by an authoritative body or government agency.
Used to express pleasure, realization, surprise, or understanding.
Explore Nuanced Synonyms for "Surly"
Discover exact matches, context-specific alternatives, and antonyms with intensity ratings in the VocabDictionary Thesaurus.
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