- Today's Word
Ornery
[OR-nuh-ree]
Definition
- (noun) Someone who is bad-tempered, irritable, or difficult to deal with. An ornery person is often grumpy, stubborn, or combative, making them a challenge to be around.
Example
The old man’s ornery disposition made him a terror to his neighbors, as he would constantly complain about the slightest disturbances and pick fights over trivial matters.
Fun Fact
The word “ornery” is derived from the dialectal alteration of the word “ordinary,” which originally meant “commonplace” or “of poor quality.” Over time, the meaning shifted to describe someone who was ill-tempered or difficult, likely because people of lower social classes were stereotyped as being crude and bad-tempered.
(adjective) Angry and bitter in manner or tone; filled with ill will and resentment that makes any resolution feel impossible.
The divorce proceedings were so acrimonious that the attorneys on both sides later said they’d never seen a settlement table that hostile — and both had been practicing for twenty years.