sulk

[ suhlk ]
See synonyms for: sulksulkedsulkingsulks on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
  1. to remain silent or hold oneself aloof in a sullen, ill-humored, or offended mood: Promise me that you won't sulk if I want to leave the party early.

noun
  1. a state or fit of sulking.

  2. sulks, ill-humor shown by sulking: to be in the sulks.

  1. Also sulker. a person who sulks.

Origin of sulk

1
First recorded in 1775–85; back formation from sulky

Other words from sulk

  • outsulk, verb (used with object)

Words Nearby sulk

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use sulk in a sentence

  • They sulk and pout, worse than humans, if one act wins more applause than another.

    David Lannarck, Midget | George S. Harney
  • Sadie did not often sulk, and he was grateful because she said nothing about what had happened on the previous night.

    The Girl From Keller's | Harold Bindloss
  • He used to sulk for a week afterwards, avoiding Alan in the 'quarter' and ostentatiously burying himself in a group of boarders.

    Sinister Street, vol. 1 | Compton Mackenzie
  • "Elvira can sulk for the rest of eternity, if she wants to," Mea said now without the slightest trace of sadness.

    Maezli | Johanna Spyri

British Dictionary definitions for sulk

sulk

/ (sʌlk) /


verb
  1. (intr) to be silent and resentful because of a wrong done to one, esp in order to gain sympathy; brood sullenly: the child sulked in a corner after being slapped

noun
  1. (often plural) a state or mood of feeling resentful or sullen: he's in a sulk because he lost the game; he's got the sulks

  2. Also: sulker a person who sulks

Origin of sulk

1
C18: perhaps a back formation from sulky 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012