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definitions

sulky

[suhl-kee]
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adjective, sulk·i·er, sulk·i·est.

marked by or given to sulking; sullen.
gloomy or dull: sulky weather.

noun, plural sulk·ies.

a light, two-wheeled, one-horse carriage for one person.

Origin of sulky

1735–45; akin to Old English solcen- lazy (in solcennes laziness), Frisian (N dial.) sulkig sulky
Related formssulk·i·ly, adverbsulk·i·ness, nounun·sulk·i·ly, adverbun·sulk·i·ness, nounun·sulk·y, adjective

Synonyms for sulky

1. moody, surly, morose, churlish.

Antonyms for sulky

1. good-humored, good-natured.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sulkily

Historical Examples of sulkily

  • "I wish to heaven you hadn't taken Knatchett," said Arthur, sulkily.

    The Coryston Family

    Mrs. Humphry Ward

  • Sulkily Papa argued that the cost in any case was prohibitive.

    The Innocent Adventuress

    Mary Hastings Bradley

  • I thought it was you, so I did not turn, but sulkily went on with my work.

    Murder Point

    Coningsby Dawson

  • Stephen, who had been sulkily dressing in his own room, entered immediately after.

    Cap'n Warren's Wards

    Joseph C. Lincoln

  • He sulkily picked up the codlines, and threw the hooks overboard.

    Cap'n Eri

    Joseph Crosby Lincoln

British Dictionary definitions for sulkily

sulky

1

adjective sulkier or sulkiest

sullen, withdrawn, or moody, through or as if through resentment
dull or dismalsulky weather
Derived Formssulkily, adverbsulkiness, noun

Word Origin for sulky

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

sulky

2

noun plural sulkies

a light two-wheeled vehicle for one person, usually drawn by one horse

Word Origin for sulky

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
Word Origin and History for sulkily

sulky

adj.

"sullen," 1744, probably from Old English asolcen "idle, lazy, slow," from past participle of aseolcan "become sluggish, be weak or idle" (related to besylcan "be languid"), from Proto-Germanic *seklanan (cf. Middle High German selken "to drop, fall").

sulky

n.

"light carriage with two wheels," 1756, apparently a noun use of sulky (adj.), on notion of "standoffishness," because the carriage has room for only one person.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper