WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
sul•len /ˈsʌlən/USA pronunciation
adj.
sul•len•ness, n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- showing irritation or anger by a gloomy silence.
- gloomy or dismal, as weather.
sul•len•ness, n. [uncountable]
sul•len
(sul′ən),USA pronunciation adj.
sul′len•ly, adv.
sul′len•ness, n.
- showing irritation or ill humor by a gloomy silence or reserve.
- persistently and silently ill-humored;
morose. - indicative of gloomy ill humor.
- gloomy or dismal, as weather or a sound.
- sluggish, as a stream.
- [Obs.]malignant, as planets or influences.
- ?
- earlier solein, Middle English 1565–75
sul′len•ness, n.
- 1. See cross. 1. 2. See glum. 2. sulky, moody, sour, bad-tempered. 4. cheerless, clouded, overcast, somber, mournful, dark. 5. slow, stagnant.
- 1. 2. cheerful.
'sullenly' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):