sulky

[ suhl-kee ]
See synonyms for: sulkysulkiness on Thesaurus.com

adjective,sulk·i·er, sulk·i·est.
  1. marked by or given to sulking; sullen.

  2. gloomy or dull: sulky weather.

noun,plural sulk·ies.
  1. a light, two-wheeled, one-horse carriage for one person.

Origin of sulky

1
1735–45; akin to Old English solcen- lazy (in solcennes laziness), Frisian (N dial.) sulkig sulky

Other words for sulky

Opposites for sulky

Other words from sulky

  • sulk·i·ly, adverb
  • sulk·i·ness, noun
  • un·sulk·i·ly, adverb
  • un·sulk·i·ness, noun
  • un·sulk·y, adjective

Words Nearby sulky

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

How to use sulky in a sentence

  • The Datto, in a sulky mood, at first refused to come, but on further pressure he changed his mind.

    The Philippine Islands | John Foreman
  • "No, madame," Pauline answered quickly, and there was something almost sulky in her tone.

    A Butterfly on the Wheel | Cyril Arthur Edward Ranger Gull
  • Mr. Blewitt was no match for my master: all the time he was fidgetty, silent, and sulky; on the contry, master was charmin.

    Memoirs of Mr. Charles J. Yellowplush | William Makepeace Thackeray
  • The sight of our money produced lots of things; but our sulky host was quite spoiled by it.

    The Cradle of Mankind | W.A. Wigram
  • After her first startled glance toward Bristow she stood with her head lowered and with an expression of sulky stubbornness.

    The Winning Clue | James Hay, Jr.

British Dictionary definitions for sulky (1 of 2)

sulky1

/ (ˈsʌlkɪ) /


adjectivesulkier or sulkiest
  1. sullen, withdrawn, or moody, through or as if through resentment

  2. dull or dismal: sulky weather

Origin of sulky

1
C18: perhaps from obsolete sulke sluggish, probably related to Old English āseolcan to be lazy

Derived forms of sulky

  • sulkily, adverb
  • sulkiness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for sulky (2 of 2)

sulky2

/ (ˈsʌlkɪ) /


nounplural sulkies
  1. a light two-wheeled vehicle for one person, usually drawn by one horse

Origin of sulky

2
C18: from sulky 1, because it can carry only one person

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