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Are there different regional pronunciations for "ornery?"

English Language & Usage Asked by TomMcW on February 10, 2021

I use a word which I learned from my parents that is pronounced ahn-ree. It’s meaning is somewhere between “cheeky” and “rambunctious.” My wife asked me how to spell it and I was at a loss.

The closest word I’ve seen in print is “ornery,” but everywhere I look it up the pronunciations all have a long “o,” such as or-ner-ee or orn-ree. And the definitions, although similar, are slightly more pejorative, such as “ill-tempered,” ” difficult,” or “unpleasant.”

Are these the same word with a regional variation in meaning and pronunciation or is the one I use a completely different word?

I’m from the Midwest US btw.

2 Answers

There are certainly regional variations; I also grew up in the Midwest US, and I would describe your parents's pronunciation as more Southern/Texan. Or-ner-ee is what I would consider correct; I don't know if I've actually heard ahn-ree other than in a movie or tv show, or for other dramatic effect.

Degree of "orneriness" depends on the subject.

Answered by David on February 10, 2021

I first encountered the ahn-ree pronunciation when I moved to Ohio. Drove me nuts. And now I'm listening to a country song by The Band Perry and she also pronounces with ahn-ree. I grew up in New Jersey and went to college in California, and no one pronounced it that way.

Answered by Jay on February 10, 2021

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