Ornery
adjective
Someone who is angry, grumpy, or stubborn.
My grandfather is an ornery old man who refuses to take his medication.
Often appears as...
- ornery old man
- ornery and stubborn
Usage tips
Colloquial
adjective
Something tough or difficult to deal with.
The ornery problem was impossible to solve.
Often appears as...
- ornery problem
- ornery task
adjective
Someone who is angry, grumpy, or stubborn.
My grandfather is an ornery old man who refuses to take his medication.
Often appears as...
- ornery old man
- ornery and stubborn
Usage tips
Colloquial
adjective
Something tough or difficult to deal with.
The ornery problem was impossible to solve.
Often appears as...
- ornery problem
- ornery task
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Usually Negative
Ornery often implies a negative judgment and may offend if used to describe people directly.
He's been acting ornery since the morning.
Pro Tip 2/3Colloquial Usage
Most common in casual conversation, not in formal writing or speeches.
That ornery kid is always causing trouble.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional State
Ornery often describes someone's temporary mood or attitude rather than a permanent trait.
She's just ornery because she's tired.
Pro Tip 1/3Usually Negative
Ornery often implies a negative judgment and may offend if used to describe people directly.
He's been acting ornery since the morning.
Pro Tip 2/3Colloquial Usage
Most common in casual conversation, not in formal writing or speeches.
That ornery kid is always causing trouble.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional State
Ornery often describes someone's temporary mood or attitude rather than a permanent trait.
She's just ornery because she's tired.
Pro Tip 1/3Usually Negative
Ornery often implies a negative judgment and may offend if used to describe people directly.
He's been acting ornery since the morning.
Pro Tip 2/3Colloquial Usage
Most common in casual conversation, not in formal writing or speeches.
That ornery kid is always causing trouble.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional State
Ornery often describes someone's temporary mood or attitude rather than a permanent trait.
She's just ornery because she's tired.
Never forget "Ornery"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
The popularity, plight...
of people the world over. But while popular culture depicts them as clumsy, adorable birds with endlessly abundant populations, the truth is that penguins are exceedingly graceful, often ornery, and their populations are in rapid free fall.
Video examples
The popularity, plight...
of people the world over. But while popular culture depicts them as clumsy, adorable birds with endlessly abundant populations, the truth is that penguins are exceedingly graceful, often ornery, and their populations are in rapid free fall.
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Austin Aries
American Wrestler
Nobody walks through life as a pure babyface per se or a pure heel, we all have shades of grey, and there's some days we're a little better than others, and some days we're a little more ornery. And I think that I just embody that.
Quote examples
Rory Gallagher
Irish Musician
I think rock should always stay a little bit outside the pale; I think it should remain a little bit dangerous - a little bit ornery, as the Americans say.
Quote examples
Jimmy Piersall
American Athlete
I asked my doctor how many more years I have left and he said, 'You're too ornery to die.
Quote examples
Austin Aries
American Wrestler
Nobody walks through life as a pure babyface per se or a pure heel, we all have shades of grey, and there's some days we're a little better than others, and some days we're a little more ornery. And I think that I just embody that.
Quote examples
Rory Gallagher
Irish Musician
I think rock should always stay a little bit outside the pale; I think it should remain a little bit dangerous - a little bit ornery, as the Americans say.
Quote examples
Jimmy Piersall
American Athlete
I asked my doctor how many more years I have left and he said, 'You're too ornery to die.
Example 1 of 3
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension