sullen

English

Etymology

Middle English solein, from Anglo-Norman solein (“alone”), from sole (“single, sole, alone”)), from Latin sōlus (“by oneself alone”). The change in meaning from "single" to morose occurred in Middle English.

Pronunciation

• enPR: sŭl'ən

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ʌlən

Adjective

sullen (comparative sullener, superlative sullenest)

1. Having a brooding ill temper; sulky.
2. Dismal; somber.
3. Sluggish; slow.

Synonyms

• sulky, morose

Antonyms

• cheerful
• content
• lighthearted
• pleased

Translations

having a brooding ill temper

Armenian: խոժոռ (hy) (xožoṙ) Danish: vrangvillig, mut Dutch: gemelijk, nors Finnish: nyreä (fi), yrmeä (fi), ynseä (fi), juro (fi) French: maussade (fr), morose (fr)

Galician: túzaro (gl) Italian: afflitto (it) m. Russian: угрюмый (ru) (ugrjúmyj) Scottish Gaelic: gruamach (gd) Serbo-Croatian: mrzovoljan (sh)

dismal

Armenian: մռայլ (hy) (mṙayl) Danish: mørk (da), dyster (da) Dutch: somber (nl) Finnish: synkeä (fi) French: morne (fr)

Norwegian: muggen (no), utilfreds (no), trist (no) Russian: печальный (ru) Scottish Gaelic: gruamach (gd) Serbo-Croatian: sumoran (sh)

sluggish

Danish: treven Dutch: traag (nl)

French: lent (fr) Italian: lento (it) m.