ornery
UK: ˈɔːnəri | US: ˈɔːrnəri
adj. stubborn or difficult to manage
adj. irritable or ill-tempered
adj. (regional) ordinary or plain in a negative sense
ornery = orn<ordinary> + ery<adjective suffix>
- orn<ordinary>: Derived from a dialectal pronunciation of "ordinary," implying something plain or unremarkable. Over time, it took on a negative connotation of being stubborn or disagreeable.
- ery<adjective suffix>: A suffix used to form adjectives, often indicating a characteristic or quality.
Etymology Origin:
The word "ornery" originated in early 19th-century American English as a colloquial alteration of "ordinary." Initially, it described something commonplace or unrefined, but it gradually evolved to describe a cantankerous or difficult personality—likely because "ordinary" people were stereotyped as rough or uncooperative. The shift reflects how language can imbue neutral terms with pejorative meanings over time.
The ornery mule refused to move no matter how hard the farmer pulled.
Don’t mind his ornery mood—he’s always grumpy before breakfast.
The old man grew more ornery with each passing year.
She gave an ornery reply when asked to help with the chores.
That ornery cat scratches anyone who tries to pet it.