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

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

The Chargers are expecting the Dallas Cowboys to be more ornery than usual coming off an “embarrassing” blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

From Los Angeles Times

The Chargers are expecting the Dallas Cowboys to be more ornery than usual coming off an “embarrassing” blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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