ornery adjective US us / ˈɔːr.nɚ.i / uk / ˈɔː.n ə r.i / likely to get angry and argue with people: He had been in an ornery mood all day, arguing with everyone who got in his way.
What does it mean to be an ornery person?
To be ornery is to be grumpy and hard to please. Oscar the Grouch? Definitely ornery. The adjective ornery sprung up in the early 19th century when people started pronouncing ordinary with an accent. The root of ordinary is the Latin word for “order,” and if you disrupt the orderly existence of an ornery person, prepare to get yelled at.
Is it ornery or On'ry in Baltimore?
In fact, in some of the Baltimore suburbs, reports have surfaced of locals beating down visitors for using "ornery" as opposed to the shortened, less complicated "on'ry". Attempts to question locals regarding this issue are usually met with a blank stare or an open-mouthed gaze downward.
What is the meaning of ornery Smile?
Definition of ornery. 2 chiefly Midwest : having or showing a playful tendency to cause trouble : mischievous an ornery smile It had been fun to play a trick on those ornery boys.
Are the Irish ornery?
The Irish may be ornery, and they aint worth much, but they are a whole lot better than the —— —— Dutch. I'm for the Union as she air, and withered be the arm of every ornery cuss who attempts to bust her up. The jail was a ornery edifiss, but the table was librally surplied with Bakin an Cabbidge.
What makes a person ornery?
Having an ugly or mean disposition. The definition of ornery is someone bad tempered or stubborn. A grumpy old man who is always looking to pick a fight is an example of someone who would be described as ornery.
How do you use the word ornery?
How to use Ornery in a sentence. The doctor told Dean his stepfather was too ornery to suffer any lasting effects from his ordeal. She's a bit ornery in comparison and not as physically capable, but she's my puppy and I wouldn't trade her for all the polygons in the world.
What are some other words for ornery?
choleric,crabby,cranky,crotchety,fussy,grouchy,grumpy,querulous.
What is Onery?
onery (comparative onerier, superlative oneriest) (US, particularly Southern US) Pronunciation spelling of ornery.
When a person is being ornery?
adjective. If you describe someone as ornery, you mean that they are bad-tempered, difficult, and often do things that are mean.
What is a antonym for ornery?
Antonyms. good-natured docile pleasant placid.
What's a word for stubborn person?
Some common synonyms of stubborn are dogged, mulish, obstinate, and pertinacious. While all these words mean "fixed and unyielding in course or purpose," stubborn implies sturdiness in resisting change which may or may not be admirable. a person too stubborn to admit error.
What part of speech is ornery?
adjectiveadjective, or·ner·i·er, or·ner·i·est. Dialect. ugly and unpleasant in disposition or temper: No one can get along with my ornery cousin.
How do you say the word ornery?
The summary of the survey is this: Pronunciation: There is a near even split as to whether the word is pronounced "orn-er-ree" versus "awn-ree," with only a few people indicating "orn-ree" as their traditional pronunciation.
What is an ornery kid?
ornery (comparative ornerier, superlative orneriest) (Appalachia) Cantankerous, stubborn, disagreeable. quotations ▼ (humorous, Southern US) Mischievous, prankish, teasing, disagreeable but in a good way.
Is ornery an American word?
ornery (adj.) 1816, ornary, American English dialectal contraction of ordinary (adj.).
How do you say the word ornery?
The summary of the survey is this: Pronunciation: There is a near even split as to whether the word is pronounced "orn-er-ree" versus "awn-ree," with only a few people indicating "orn-ree" as their traditional pronunciation.
Is ornery an American word?
Ornery is an American word that can sometimes be confusing. We will examine the meaning of the word ornery, where it came from and some examples of its use in sentences. Ornery describes someone who is difficult, someone who does mean things or is ill-tempered or obstinate.
What does Anary mean?
: feeling or showing great annoyance or displeasure : feeling or showing anger. Other Words from angry. angrily \ -grə-lē \ adverb shouting angrily.
What does resignedly mean?
adverb. in a way that expresses giving in to the insistence of another or to circumstances beyond one's control:I nodded my head gloomily and resignedly; something like this was bound to happen eventually.
What does "onry" mean?
Onry. Mean, generally grumpy disposition , often for no particular reason, or with cause, pissed off and angry, with no intention to act on it other than to be unpleasant. 1) He was an onry ( hornery) ol' man. 2) He was in an onry (hornery) mood. by no1ofnote March 04, 2005. Flag.
Is "on'ry" an adjective?
On'ry. On'ry is an adjective and is a truncated version of the word " ornery ". In the Baltimore, Maryland area, use of the term " on'ry " is quite common. In fact, in some of the Baltimore suburbs, reports have surfaced of locals beating down visitors for using "ornery" as opposed to the shortened, less complicated "on'ry".
