ornery

American  

[awr-nuh-ree] / ˈɔr nə ri /

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.

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ornery British  

/ ˈɔːnərɪ /

adjective

1. stubborn or vile-tempered

2. low; treacherous

   an ornery trick

3. ordinary

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Other Word Forms

• orneriness noun

Etymology

Origin of ornery

First recorded in 1790–1800; contraction of ordinary

Example Sentences

Josh Charles stars as a talented but ornery surgeon who leaves his career in Boston to become a doctor in a small town.

From The Wall Street Journal

But O’Neill’s 1921 drama poses ornery challenges for an actress—and not just because Greta Garbo immortalized the role in her first “talkie.”

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From 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.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

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