sullen

/ˈsʌlən/ (bre, ipa) · [sˈʌlən] /ˈsʌlən/ (ame, ipa) · [sˈʌlən] /ˈsə-lən How to pronounce sullen (audio)/ (ame, mw)

sullen — adjective

  • sullenpositive
  • more sullencomparative
  • most sullensuperlative

1. showing silent anger and keeping to yourself instead of speaking warmly or smili

1.形容詞C1
釋義

showing silent anger and keeping to yourself instead of speaking warmly or smiling.

例句

Putri gave her mother a sullen look and refused to answer.

common collocation: sullen look

After the argument, Arjun sat through dinner in sullen silence.

fixed collocation: sullen silence

同義詞
  • sulky

    very close in meaning, often used of childish or obvious bad temper

  • resentful

    focuses on the feeling of grievance; 'sullen' adds the silent outward manner

  • moody

    broader and less specifically angry; moods may change quickly

  • surly

    more openly rude and rough than 'sullen'

反義詞
  • cheerful

    openly bright and pleasant

  • friendly

    willing to talk warmly to other people

  • chatty

    talkative rather than withdrawn

文法句型

look sullen

grow sullen

be sullen about + noun

用法筆記

Often appears with nouns like 'look', 'expression', and 'silence', or after verbs such as 'grow' and 'become'. It suggests hurt or resentment shown by withdrawal, not loud anger.

常見錯誤

❌Nina felt sullen because she was nervous to meet new classmates.
✅Nina felt shy because she was nervous to meet new classmates.
💡'sullen' suggests quiet anger or resentment, not simple nervousness.
❌The boss shouted in a sullen voice for ten minutes.
✅The boss shouted in an angry voice for ten minutes.
💡someone who is 'sullen' is usually withdrawn or unwilling to speak, not loudly exploding.

2. grey, heavy, and slightly threatening in the way it looks, especially of weather

2.形容詞C2
釋義

grey, heavy, and slightly threatening in the way it looks, especially of weather, water, or a place.

例句

A sullen sky hung over the harbor before the storm arrived.

common descriptive collocation: sullen sky

The river looked sullen under the grey afternoon light.

pattern: place or landscape + looked sullen

同義詞
  • gloomy

    everyday word for a dark or depressing appearance

  • lowering

    especially used of clouds or skies that seem to threaten rain

  • brooding

    emphasises a heavy, threatening mood spread over a place

反義詞
  • bright

    full of light rather than gloom

  • sunny

    especially of weather or atmosphere

  • cheerful

    pleasant and uplifting rather than oppressive

文法句型

a sullen sky

look sullen

用法筆記

Mainly a literary or descriptive choice. It is used for skies, water, streets, or buildings that seem gloomy and oppressive, not simply for something that is physically dark.

常見錯誤

❌The kitchen was sullen because the lamp was off.
✅The kitchen was dark because the lamp was off.
💡this sense suggests a gloomy atmosphere, usually in weather or scenery, not simple lack of light.