ornery

[awr-nuh-ree]

adjective

Dialect.

ornerier, orneriest 

1. ugly and unpleasant in disposition or temper.

   No one can get along with my ornery cousin.

   Synonyms: testy, surly, ill-natured, ill-tempered, mean

2. stubborn.

   I can't do a thing with that ornery mule.

3. low or vile.

4. inferior or common; ordinary.

ornery

/ ˈɔːnərɪ /

adjective

1. stubborn or vile-tempered

2. low; treacherous

   an ornery trick

3. ordinary

Other Word Forms

• orneriness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ornery¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; contraction of ordinary

Word History and Origins

Origin of ornery¹

C19: alteration of _ordinary

Example Sentences

Shortly before dawn, he returned home, stumbling out of a cab, drunk and ornery.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Plagued with leaks and buffeted by scandals, this "infidel" Ahab has become anxious, ornery and isolated as President Donald Trump's second term enters its third month.

Read more on Salon

Otter 841, California’s most ornery sea mammal, has returned to waters off Santa Cruz.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Breeders’ Cup Classic attracted some horses as old as four and five — tough, ornery veterans.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It falls to Asha, her quirky friends, an ornery talking goat sidekick and a cute fallen star to rebel against Magnifico to get the wishes back.

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• cranky 
• grouchy 
• grumpy 
• hard-nosed 
• ill-tempered 
• nasty 
• obstinate 
• vicious