ill-natured

adjective

ill-na·tured ˈil-ˈnā-chərd

: having a bad disposition : cross, surly

: malevolent, spiteful

ill-naturedly adverb

an ill-natured and unpleasant old horse that sometimes bites

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler

The first known use of ill-natured was in 1605

See more words from the same year

Style

“Ill-natured.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ill-natured. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

ill-natured

adjective

ill-na·tured

ˈil-ˈnā-chərd

: having a bad disposition : surly

is usually ill-natured in the morning until after breakfast

ill-naturedly adverb

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