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How to pronounce Ornery

How to Pronounce "Ornery"

Definition: How to say "Ornery" and use it in a sentence

Phonetic Spelling:

ˈɔːrnəri (or-nuh-ree)

How to say "Ornery" correctly

Understanding the meanings of Ornery.

  • Easily annoyed or angered; irritable
  • Difficult to deal with or control
  • Ugly and unpleasant in disposition or temper
  • Stubbornly obstructive and unwilling to cooperate
  • Cranky, crotchety, or cantankerous

Using Ornery in a sentence:

  • The ornery old man refused to help anyone with their groceries.
  • After a long day at work, she was feeling particularly ornery.
  • His ornery behavior made it difficult for the team to work together.
  • The ornery cat hissed and scratched anyone who tried to pet it.
  • The ornery customer complained about every little detail of her meal.

Words close in sound to Ornery:

Ornate, Ornament, Ornamental, Ornamentation, Ornithology, Ordinary, Organize, Origin, Organ, Organic,

Synonyms for Ornery

Cantankerous, Cranky, Irritable, Grumpy, Stubborn, Obstinate, Difficult, Testy, Crabby, Curmudgeonly,

Antonyms for Ornery

Agreeable, Pleasant, Friendly, Amiable, Easygoing, Cooperative, Affable, Good-natured, Kind, Sweet-tempered,

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Ways to learn to say “Ornery” better

Here are a few techniques that should help you perfect your pronunciation of ‘Ornery‘:

  • Break ‘Ornery’ down into each vowel, speak it aloud whilst exaggerating the sounds until you can consistently repeat it without mistakes.
  • Record ‘Ornery‘ in a full sentence and then watch or listen back. You’ll be able to mark your mistakes quite easily.
  • Find more videos on Youtube on how to pronounce ‘Ornery‘ accurately.
  • Target one accent: when you mix multiple accents, it could confuse you, especially for beginners, so pick one accent, perhaps US and stick to it!


More ideas to boost your accent and pronunciation, we recommend learn the following methods:

Practicing speech contraction in speech is common in the U.S. and is viewed as a regular element of casual conversation. For example, altering “what are you going to do this weekend” to “what you gonna do this weekend” is standard practice. Delve into terms like ‘gonna’ and ‘wanna’ for additional information.

Enhancing your intonation is essential for English fluency. The ways you use stress, rhythm, and pitch in English are crucial in conveying your message and feelings. A plethora of resources and videos on Youtube can aid you in learning these aspects to pronounce ‘Ornery’.

Engage with multiple Youtube channels dedicated to English learning. These platforms offer free resources that tackle important language skills. Pronounce.tv is another outstanding source for enhancing your pronunciation.

Mimicking native speakers can significantly improve your pronunciation. Listen to how they pronounce ‘Ornery’ and attempt to replicate the tone, speed, and rhythm in your speech, making it habitual.

Incorporate phonetic exercises into your daily practice. Understanding and practicing the phonetic sounds of English can help you improve your pronunciation of complex vocabulary.

Regularly use English in your daily conversations. The more you speak, the more comfortable you’ll become with the nuances of pronunciation and accent, boosting your overall ability to communicate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it onery or ornery?

The correct spelling is “ornery.” However, in some Southern U.S. dialects, it is pronounced as “onery.” “Ornery” is an adjective that is used to describe someone who is bad-tempered, irritable, or difficult to deal with. It is often used colloquially to refer to someone who is stubborn or cantankerous. Despite the different pronunciations, both “ornery” and “onery” have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably depending on regional dialects.

Is it pronounced ornery or awnry?

The word “ornery” is typically pronounced as “aw-nuh-ree” with the emphasis on the second syllable. However, there is a common regional variation where it is pronounced as “awn-ree” with the emphasis on the first syllable. This pronunciation variation is a result of metathesis, which is when sounds or letters in a word are rearranged, often influenced by regional accents and colloquial speech patterns. Both pronunciations are considered acceptable, but “ornery” is the standard pronunciation according to dictionaries. Ultimately, the pronunciation may vary depending on the speaker’s dialect or region.

How is ‘ornery’ pronounced in Canadian English?

In Canadian English, the word “ornery” is typically pronounced as /ˈɔːrnəri/. The emphasis is usually placed on the first syllable, and the “r” is pronounced. The pronunciation may vary slightly depending on the regional dialect within Canada, but this is the most common way to pronounce “ornery” in Canadian English.

Do Australians pronounce ‘ornery’ the same as Americans?

The pronunciation of the word “ornery” can vary between Australians and Americans. In general, Australians tend to pronounce the word as “AWR-nuh-ree” with a more pronounced “aw” sound at the beginning, while Americans may pronounce it as “AWR-nuh-ree” with a slightly shorter “aw” sound. However, due to regional accents and dialects within both countries, there may be some variation in how individuals pronounce the word. Overall, the differences in pronunciation between Australians and Americans for the word “ornery” are relatively minor and may not be immediately noticeable in everyday conversation.

What’s the correct pronunciation of ornery?

The correct pronunciation of “ornery” is typically pronounced as \ˈȯr-nə-rē\. It is a two-syllable word with the stress on the first syllable. The first syllable sounds like the “aw” sound in “law,” the second syllable sounds like “nuh,” and the final syllable sounds like “ree.” It is important to note that regional dialects or accents may slightly alter the pronunciation, but the general pronunciation follows the pattern described. To ensure you are pronouncing it correctly, it may be helpful to break down the word into its sounds and practice saying it slowly and clearly.

How do Southerners say ornery?

The pronunciation of the word “ornery” varies among individuals and regions in the southern United States. While some Southerners may pronounce it as “orn-ree,” others may say “awn-ree.” Interestingly, there is no consistent regional pattern for the pronunciation of this word, except for Mississippi where it is commonly pronounced as “orn-er-ree” and Kansas where it is often pronounced as “awn-ree.” It is important to note that the pronunciation of “ornery” may vary even within the same state or community, as accents and dialects can differ greatly across the South.

Does the pronunciation of ‘ornery’ have variations in different accents within the United States?

Yes, the pronunciation of “ornery” can have variations in different accents within the United States. The word “ornery” is pronounced differently depending on regional accents and dialects. For example, in some Southern accents, the word may be pronounced as “AWR-nuh-ree” with a more drawn-out “aw” sound. In other accents, such as those found in the Northeast or Midwest, the word may be pronounced as “AWR-ner-ee” with a shorter “aw” sound. Additionally, factors such as individual speech patterns, regional influences, and cultural background can all contribute to variations in pronunciation. Overall, the pronunciation of “ornery” can vary across different accents within the United States.

Is the pronunciation of ‘ornery’ influenced by the speaker’s age or generation?

The pronunciation of ‘ornery’ is not typically influenced by the speaker’s age or generation. ‘Ornery’ is a word that has a standard pronunciation and is generally pronounced the same way by speakers of all ages and generations. However, variations in pronunciation can occur based on regional dialects or accents, rather than age or generation. Overall, the pronunciation of ‘ornery’ is consistent across different demographics and is not significantly impacted by the speaker’s age or generation.

Is the pronunciation of ‘ornery’ different in British English compared to American English?

The pronunciation of ‘ornery’ is generally the same in both British English and American English. The word is typically pronounced as “AWR-nuh-ree” in both accents. However, slight variations in pronunciation may occur due to regional accents or dialects within each country. It’s important to note that English pronunciation can vary widely even within regions, so there may be some minor differences in how ‘ornery’ is pronounced in different parts of the UK and the US.

In what region is the word ‘ornery’ pronounced with a more distinct ‘o’ sound?

The word “ornery” is typically pronounced with a more distinct “o” sound in the Southern United States. In this region, the vowel sounds tend to be more drawn out and pronounced compared to other regions. The Southern accent often features a distinctive drawl and elongation of certain vowel sounds, which can result in a more noticeable pronunciation of the “o” in “ornery.” It’s important to note that accents and pronunciations can vary greatly even within regions, so there may be some variation in how the word is pronounced even within the Southern United States.

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