sullen
pronunciation
How to pronounce sullen in British English:
UK [ˈsʌlən]
How to pronounce sullen in American English:
US [ˈsʌlən]
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- Adjective:
- showing a brooding ill humor
- darkened by clouds
Word Origin
- sullen
- sullen: [16] The etymological notion underlying sullen is of being miserable because one is ‘on one’s own’. The word comes from Anglo- Norman *solein ‘alone’, hence ‘miserable’, a derivative of Old French soul ‘alone’ (source of English sole).=> sole, solo
- sullen (adj.)
- 1570s, alteration of Middle English soleyn "unique, singular," from Anglo-French *solein, formed on the pattern of Old French solain "lonely," from soul "single," from Latin solus "by oneself, alone" (see sole (adj.)). The sense shift in Middle English from "solitary" to "morose" (i.e. "remaining alone through ill-humor") occurred late 14c. Related: Sullenly; sullenness.
Antonym
Example
- 1. The mood among conservative mps is less shining-eyed and more sullen .
- 2. All were wearing traditional choson-ot and likewise had moist eyes and sullen faces .
- 3. The photo above showing rays of sunlight breaking through a sullen sky was taken after a brief but intense snow squall in port maitland , nova scotia , canada .
- 4. Increasing class sizes and offering teachers more opportunities for professional development is unlikely to transform britain 's sullen youth instantly into south korean 's swotty teenagers .
- 5. As they neared home , however , he stood still and said in a somewhat sullen voice , " I had rather go to school even than get what uncle threatened . "