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Ornery vs Inert - What's the difference?

ornery | inert |

As adjectives the difference between ornery and inert

is that ornery is (appalachian) cantankerous, stubborn, disagreeable while inert is unable to move or act; inanimate.

As a noun inert is

(chemistry) a substance that does not react chemically.

ornery

English

Adjective

(er)
  • (Appalachian) Cantankerous, stubborn, disagreeable.
  • * 1990 . , Rabbit at Rest
    • “Grandpa, what’s ‘ornery’?” / “Oh, you know. Mean. Contrary. Rebellious.”
  • * 1939 . From the Script of (1939)
    • Curley: "I ain't sayin' I don't share your sentiments, Buck, but you're a born fool. First place Luke would kill the Kid in a gun-fight. Second place if Luke did get shot he's got two brothers just as ornery as he is, and if Ike Plummer didn't kill the Kid then Hank Plummer would."
  • (humorous, Southern US) Mischievous, prankish, teasing, disagreeable but in a good way.
  • (obsolete) Commonplace, inferior.

    • Derived terms

    * ornerily * orneriness

    inert

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Unable to move or act; inanimate.
  • Sluggish or lethargic.
  • In chemistry, not readily reacting with other elements or compounds.
  • Having no therapeutic action.

    • Derived terms

    * inert gas * inertly

    See also

    * inertia

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (chemistry) A substance that does not react chemically.

    • Anagrams

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