Ornery

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

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Southern #ScoldingandTeasing

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.

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 and Etymology

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."

Usage 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.

Kin Topics

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.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 1). Ornery. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/ornery
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Ornery." HillbillySlang.com, 1 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/ornery.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Ornery." HillbillySlang.com. October 1, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/ornery.

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