What does surly mean?
Surly describes someone whose manner is unfriendly, rude, or noticeably bad-tempered. It commonly refers to behavior rather than a person's character as a whole: a surly clerk, a surly tone, or a surly response. The word often implies a lack of courtesy and can suggest hostility, irritation, or contempt, but it is usually less severe than abusive or openly aggressive. In older English, surly could also mean haughty or arrogant, emphasizing a person's prideful bearing. When used as an adverb, it means in a surly manner, as in “He answered surly.” The word is useful when describing a distinctly unwelcoming attitude without making a broader accusation about someone's personality.
Unfriendly, rude, or bad-tempered in behavior; in older usage, haughty or arrogant.
"The driver gave us a surly look when we asked him to stop."
This is the usual modern sense and generally implies a visibly unpleasant manner toward someone.
In a surly manner.
"She replied surly and turned away."
The adverb is less common than the adjective but remains standard.
Surly began by suggesting a sour or unpleasant disposition before it came to describe the person's behavior.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does surly come from?
Surly is a late 16th-century formation associated with sour, in the sense of unpleasant or disagreeable in disposition. It originally conveyed an unpleasant, haughty, or arrogant manner. Over time, its dominant sense became the modern one of being rude, unfriendly, or bad-tempered. The development reflects the broader figurative history of sour, which can describe both physical bitterness and an unfriendly attitude.
Related word forms
How surly is actually used
Surly is generally used to describe an unfriendly, curt, or impolite attitude toward another person. It can sound more strongly judgmental than merely grumpy, although the precise force varies with context.
Easily confused with surly
Surly describes a person's unfriendly or impolite behavior, whereas sour commonly describes a tart taste or a bitterness of disposition.
Surly means rude or bad-tempered, while curly describes hair or a shape that is curved or curled.