Sullen Meaning
/ˈsʌlən/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjHaving a brooding ill temper; sulky.
adjGloomy; dismal; foreboding.
Sentence Examples
He is very sullen now.
She had a sullen look on her face.
CEFR Practice Quiz
After losing the game, the player sat in a ____ mood, refusing to speak.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The teenager had a ____ expression on his face after his parents told him he could not go to the party.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English soleyn, from Anglo-Norman soleyn (“alone”), from Old French sole (“single, sole, alone”), from Latin sōlus (“by oneself alone”). The change in meaning from "single" to morose occurred in Middle English.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Still she entreats, and prettily entreats, / For to a pretty ear she tunes her tale; / Still is he sullen, still he lours and frets, / ‘Twixt crimson shame and anger ashy-pale;"
— 1593, William Shakespeare, Venus and Adonis:
"And sullen I forsook the imperfect feast."
— 1709, Matthew Prior, Pleasure:
"2007, Steven Wilson, "Normal", Porcupine Tree, Nil Recurring.
Sullen and bored the kids stay / And in this way wish away each day"
—
"Our solemn hymns to sullen dirges change;"
— c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene v], line 88:
"He added not; and Satan bowing low / His gray diſſimulation, diſappear'd / Into thin Air diffuſ'd: for now began / Night with her ſullen wing to double-ſhade / The Deſert; Fowls in thir clay neſts were couch't; / And now wild Beaſts came forth the woods to roam."
— 1671, John Milton, “The First Book”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 27, lines 497–502:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
After losing the game, the player sat in a ____ mood, refusing to speak.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The teenager had a ____ expression on his face after his parents told him he could not go to the party.