sulky

Everyday

1. Sulky means bad-tempered and silent because you are upset or annoyed, and you want others to notice: «a sulky face». tree →
2. A sulky is also a light two-wheeled cart for one person pulled by a horse in harness racing. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, a sulky character pouts, slams doors, folds arms and refuses to talk, so the reader knows they are upset or feel treated unfairly. In PSHE, pupils learn better ways to show feelings than sulking: name the feeling and talk about it. Phrases: «in a sulky mood», «a sulky teenager», «go off in a sulk» (noun), «sulk about something».

Examples

• Tom was sulky all afternoon because he lost the game. tree →
• Don't be sulky — tell me what's wrong. tree →
• She gave a sulky shrug and looked away. tree →
• My little sister went into a sulk when it was bedtime. tree →
• The sulky teenager in the story wouldn't come down for dinner. tree →
• He answered sulkily, «Fine. Whatever.» tree →
• In harness racing, the driver sits in a sulky behind the horse. tree →
• The King was sulky and savage, and never enjoyed himself at all. tree →

Note

Comparative «sulkier», superlative «sulkiest» (y changes to i). The verb is «sulk»; «a sulk» is also a noun. Sulky is about a quiet, moody mood; angry shouting is not sulking.