i Register
In some senses, ornery is marked as informal, obsolete, US, humorous. Watch for register when choosing this word.
ornery
UK /ˈɔːnəɹi/ US /ˈɔɹnəɹi/
adj 3
Collocations
2ADJ.
mean
VERB + ORNERY
don't, thought
Definitions
adj
1
Disagreeable, stubborn, and troublesome to deal with; cantankerous.
Seemingly here was an intruder who was violating custom. Moreover, the partners had come to look upon this exceedingly rich district as their exclusive property. And so their indignation was extreme. "The low-down, ornery cuss!" said Dobbs. "The nerve of him, crowdin' in on us, just as if there wasn't lots of other places for him to go!"
Through Michael sped the thought: 'Could I make her jealous?' And he was shocked at it. A low-down thought—mean and ornery!
2
Troublesome to deal with in a good way; mischievous, prankish, teasing.
3
Ordinary, commonplace; hence, inferior, plain-looking, unpleasant.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
adjective — having a difficult and contrary disposition
- cantankerous
- crotchety
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
501
Seemingly here was an intruder who was violating custom. Moreover, the partners had come to look upon this exceedingly rich district as their exclusive property. And so their indignation was extreme.
Wiktionary02
Through Michael sped the thought: 'Could I make her jealous?' And he was shocked at it. A low-down thought—mean and ornery!
Wiktionary03
I ain't sayin' I don't share your sentiments, Buck, but you're a born fool. First place Luke would kill the Kid in a gun-fight. Second place if Luke did get shot he's got two brothers just as ornery a
Wiktionary04
Don't be so ornery. Just do what you're told to do.
Tatoeba · #892830705
Don't be so ornery. Just do what you're told.
Tatoeba · #8928681Usage Notes
Your note
not saved0 chars