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Illiterate vs Surly - What's the difference?

illiterate | surly | Related terms |

Illiterate is a related term of surly.


As adjectives the difference between illiterate and surly

is that illiterate is unable to read and write while surly is (obsolete) lordly, arrogant, supercilious.

As a noun illiterate

is an illiterate person, one not able to read.

As an adverb surly is

(obsolete) in an arrogant or supercilious manner.

illiterate

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Unable to read and write.
  • Having less than an expected standard of familiarity with language and literature, or having little formal education.
  • Not conforming to prescribed standards of speech or writing.

    • Synonyms

    * ignorant * unlettered

    Antonyms

    * literate

    Derived terms

    * illiteracy * illiterately * illiterateness

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • an illiterate person, one not able to read.

    • References

    * (EtymOnLine)

    surly

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • (obsolete) Lordly, arrogant, supercilious.
  • Irritated, bad-tempered, unfriendly.
  • Threatening, menacing, gloomy.
    • The surly weather put us all in a bad mood.

    Adverb

    (er)
  • (obsolete) In an arrogant or supercilious manner.
  • * 1623 , , Julius Caesar , I.iii,
    • Against the Capitol I met a lion / Who glazed upon me, and went surly