sulk
/sʌlk/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To stay silent and look upset because you feel angry, hurt, or disappointed. A sulking person often shows their mood without talking about it.
- He sulked after losing the game.
- Don't sulk—tell me what's wrong.
- She sulked in her room all evening.
noun
A sulky state or period of silent unhappiness. It is often used in the phrase “in a sulk.”
- He was in a sulk after the argument.
- Her sulk lasted all morning.
Adinary Nuance
Sulk is stronger and more childish than just being quiet or unhappy. It suggests someone is showing displeasure on purpose, often by silence, a gloomy face, or stubborn behaviour. Use brood for private, thoughtful unhappiness, and moodily or quietly when there is no clear attitude of protest.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- giận dỗi
- Spanish
- poner morros
- Chinese
- 生闷气
- Japanese
- すねる
- Korean
- 삐지다
Etymology
Sulk first appeared in English in the 1600s. Its origin is uncertain, but it may be related to a word meaning to be slow or dull.
Common phrases
sulk in silencebe in a sulksulk over somethingsulky face
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is sulk a formal word?
- No. It is common in everyday English, and it can sound a little childish or annoyed.
- What is the difference between sulk and brood?
- Sulk shows upset feelings through silence or moodiness. Brood means to think sadly or angrily about something for a long time.
- Can I use sulk in business writing?
- Usually no. It sounds too personal and emotional for formal business writing.
- How do I use sulk in a sentence?
- You can say, “He sulked after the meeting,” or “She is in a sulk.”