Ornery

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "ornery" means cranky, contrary, or stubborn. It can also describe someone mischievous, aggravating, or hard to deal with.

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synonyms: cranky, irritable, stubborn, mean-tempered, contrary

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I hear 'ornry' all the time. Might be referrin' to people or animals... or maybe a weed you caint pull up.

Pronunciation

[OR-nree, ON-ree] /ˈɔːrnəri/, /ˈɔːnri/

Meaning & Usage

- Cranky or irritable (adjective)

Clara:

Don’t bother him before breakfast. He’s pure ornery till he gets his coffee.

- Stubborn or contrary (adjective)

Elmer:

That bull’s so ornery he broke through the fence twice this week.

- Mischievous or aggravating (adjective)

Estel:

These young’uns get ornery come Sunday afternoon, climbing the walls.

Origin

Derived from a clipped, altered form of "ordinary" in 18th-19th century American English. By the 1800s, in Southern and Appalachian dialect, it shifted to mean "stubborn, cranky, or mischievous."

Notes

In everyday Southern and Appalachian use, ornery is a versatile word that can be playful ("that pup’s ornery as can be") or sharp ("he’s a mean, ornery cuss").

Ornery is the standard spelling.
Onry is a common pronunciation-based spelling, often written the way it’s said. See: Onry.
Pronunciations vary - some say or-nree, while others shorten it to on-ree.

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Common Questions

Is "ornery" only Southern?

It’s used nationwide now, but its strongest roots and most colorful uses are in Southern and Appalachian English.

Does "ornery" always mean mean-spirited?

Not always. It can mean cranky or stubborn, but it can also be affectionate when describing kids or animals.

Why is "ornery" pronounced "on-ree"?

The shortened pronunciation comes from Southern and Appalachian speech patterns, where syllables often get dropped or slurred.