ornery

[ awr-nuh-ree ]

adjective

, Dialect.

, or·ner·i·er, or·ner·i·est.

1. ugly and unpleasant in disposition or temper:

   No one can get along with my ornery cousin.

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

Derived Forms

• ˈorneriness, noun

Other Words From

• orner·i·ness 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

“It was in the last five years that they’ve really become a nuisance,” homeowner Sara Alden told CBS2 about one ornery ursine that had recently broken into her family’s home and tore up the place.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

An ornery, board-jacking sea otter is terrorizing surfers off the coast of Santa Cruz.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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