Definition

Bad-tempered, unfriendly, or rude in manner or speech; gruff and often menacing in demeanor. The word suggests a scowling, brusque attitude.

Example Usage

The surly bartender refused to serve anyone who hadn't ordered within five minutes of sitting down.

Origin

From Middle English 'surliche,' originally meaning 'proud' or 'haughty,' possibly from 'sir' with a pejorative suffix, evolving to mean churlish or morose.

Fun Fact

The word has remained largely unchanged in meaning for over 600 years, consistently describing disagreeable temperament.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

Related Terms

Beginner

academic quarter

A 10-11 week term used by quarter system institutions, resulting in three main terms per academic year instead of two semesters. It's the fast-paced, high-intensity alternative to semesters, where you blink and it's finals week.

🎓 Education / Academia
Intermediate

nomadism

A lifestyle or social pattern characterized by the regular movement of people or groups from place to place, typically to access resources like grazing land, water, or game. Contrasts with sedentary settlement.

🎓 Education / Academia
Intermediate

Taxonomy

A system of classification that organizes organisms, concepts, or information into hierarchical categories based on shared characteristics; in biology, it arranges life forms from broad kingdoms down to specific species.

🎓 Education / Academia
Intermediate

quartzite

A hard, non-foliated metamorphic rock formed from sandstone that has been subjected to intense heat and pressure, composed primarily of tightly interlocking quartz crystals. Quartzite is highly durable and is commonly used in countertops, flooring, and construction.

🎓 Education / Academia
Intermediate

Scaffolding

An instructional technique where teachers provide temporary support structures to help students reach higher understanding, then gradually remove them. It's exactly like actual scaffolding except the building sometimes collapses and blames you for not studying.

🎓 Education / Academia
Beginner

Velociraptor

A genus of small to medium-sized carnivorous theropod dinosaurs from the Cretaceous period, characterized by an enlarged curved claw on each foot used for slashing prey. They hunted in packs and are among the most intelligent dinosaurs known.

🎓 Education / Academia

Translate This Term

See “Surly” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

Try the Translator

Share This Term

Post on XShare on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

Discover a Term

Beginner

gmafb

give me a f**king break...