English edit

Etymology edit

16th-century alteration of sirly, from sir +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation edit

Adjective edit

surly (comparative surlier, superlative surliest)

  1. Irritated, bad-tempered, unfriendly.
  2. Threatening, menacing, gloomy.
    The surly weather put us all in a bad mood.
  3. (obsolete) Lordly, arrogant, supercilious.

Derived terms edit

Translations edit

Adverb edit

surly (comparative surlier, superlative surliest)

  1. (obsolete) In an arrogant or supercilious manner.

Middle English edit

Adverb edit

surly

  1. Alternative form of surely