Word
sullen
US/ˈsəɫən/
UK/sˈʌlən/
Definition
adj. unhappy and quiet in a way that shows you are angry or upset. You use this to describe someone who is not talking and seems to be in a bad mood.
adj. characterised by a gloomy, silent, or resentful mood. Often describes a person who is sulking or a situation that feels oppressive and quiet.
Examples
“The sullen child refused to speak to anyone after the game.”
“After the argument, the room fell into a sullen silence as everyone avoided looking at each other.”
“The sullen atmosphere of the tavern was broken only by the occasional clink of tankards and the low, grumbling complaints of the patrons.”
Examples
simple
“The sullen child refused to speak to anyone after the game.”
contextual
“After the argument, the room fell into a sullen silence as everyone avoided looking at each other.”
complex
“The sullen atmosphere of the tavern was broken only by the occasional clink of tankards and the low, grumbling complaints of the patrons.”
Real-World Examples
“The crowd roused itself from a state of sullen defiance to a state of angry defiance and occasionally even jubilant defiance.” Etymology
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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