sulky

[ suhl-kee ]

adjective

, sulk·i·er, sulk·i·est.

1. marked by or given to sulking; sullen.

   Synonyms: churlish, morose, surly, moody

   Antonyms: good-natured, good-humored

2. gloomy or dull:

   sulky weather.

noun

, plural sulk·ies.

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

sulky

¹

/ ˈsʌlkɪ /

noun

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

sulky

²

/ ˈsʌlkɪ /

adjective

1. sullen, withdrawn, or moody, through or as if through resentment
2. dull or dismal

   sulky weather

Derived Forms

• ˈsulkiness, noun
• ˈsulkily, adverb

Other Words From

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sulky¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sulky¹

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

Origin of sulky²

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

Example Sentences

No sniggering jokes now about princely flings and sulky princesses and body doubles.

From Los Angeles Times

“If we took a car, we could slump down, out of sight,” he said, and instantly regretted how sulky he sounded.

From Literature

Instead, America was treated to a series of photos of him looking like a sulky child in court, accompanied by reports that he acted like a fidgeting, impatient toddler throughout the proceedings.

From Salon

Dr. Ash clearly doesn’t take his son’s career seriously, and in just a few days Jed seems to regress to a kind of sulky adolescence.

From Seattle Times

A sulky is a small horse-drawn cart traditionally used for transport and recreation, but sulky racing is illegal on public roads in Ireland.

From BBC