Grumpy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈgrəm-pē/

Meaning & Definition of Grumpy

Grumpy (adjective)

  1. easily and often annoyed or angered, surly

Grumpy (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. easily irritated or annoyed

    "a grumpy neighbor whose yard we had long ago learned not to trespass"

    similar: choleric, crabby, cranky, cross, crotchety, fiery, grouchy, irascible, irritable, peevish, perverse, pettish, petulant, prickly, quick-tempered, raspy, ratty, short-tempered, snappish, snappy, snarky, snippety, snippy, stuffy, testy, waspish, out of humor, out of sorts
    related: bearish, bilious, cantankerous, cross-grained, curmudgeonly, disagreeable, dyspeptic, ill-humored, ill-natured, ill-tempered, off-color, ornery, querulous, snarly, surly, argumentative, bellicose, belligerent, combative, contentious, disputatious, fractious, fretful, pugnacious, quarrelsome, scrappy, truculent, huffy, pouty, sensitive, short, sulky, sullen, tetchy, thin-skinned, touchy, hot-blooded, passionate
    near: affable, companionable, cordial, extroverted, friendly, genial, gregarious, outgoing, sociable, agreeable, amiable, good-natured, good-tempered, sweet, well-disposed, carefree, easygoing, happy-go-lucky, relaxed, forbearing, long-suffering, obliging, patient, stoic, tolerant, uncomplaining, understanding

  2. given to complaining a lot

    "the baby's sure to be grumpy if she doesn't get her afternoon nap"

    similar: crabby, cranky, fussy, grouchy, querulous
    related: antsy, fidgety, restive, restless, squirmy, twitchy, uneasy, wiggly, wriggly, discontented, disgruntled, displeased, dissatisfied, fretful, nervous, worrisome, cantankerous, choleric, cross, crotchety, irascible, irritable, ornery, peevish, perverse, pettish, petulant, quick-tempered, short-tempered, snappish, snappy, snippy, testy, waspish
    opposite: forbearing, long-suffering, patient, stoic, tolerant, uncomplaining
    near: affable, agreeable, amiable, genial, good-humored, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, well-disposed, accommodating, complaisant, obliging, easygoing, laid-back, relaxed

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Grumpy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Grumpy:

choleric, crabby, cranky, cross, crotchety, fiery, grouchy, irascible, irritable, peevish, perverse, pettish, petulant, prickly, quick-tempered, raspy, ratty, short-tempered, snappish, snappy, snarky, snippety, snippy, stuffy, testy, waspish, fussy, querulous, out of humor, out of sorts

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Grumpy

Words with the opposite meaning of Grumpy:

forbearing, long-suffering, patient, stoic, tolerant, uncomplaining

Related Words for Grumpy

bearish, bilious, cantankerous, cross-grained, curmudgeonly, disagreeable, dyspeptic, ill-humored, ill-natured, ill-tempered, off-color, ornery, snarly, surly, argumentative, bellicose, belligerent, combative, contentious, disputatious, fractious, fretful, pugnacious, quarrelsome, scrappy, truculent, huffy, pouty, sensitive, short

Near Antonyms of Grumpy

affable, companionable, cordial, extroverted, friendly, genial, gregarious, outgoing, sociable, agreeable, amiable, good-natured, good-tempered, sweet, well-disposed, carefree, easygoing, happy-go-lucky, relaxed, obliging, understanding, good-humored, gracious, accommodating, complaisant, laid-back

Word Forms of Grumpy

Inflections: grumpier, grumpiest

Derived words: grumpily (adverb), grumpiness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Grumpy

First known use: 1750

Frequently Asked Questions about Grumpy

What does "Grumpy" mean?

"Grumpy" means easily and often annoyed or angered, surly. As an adjective, it is defined as: easily and often annoyed or angered, surly. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Grumpy"?

Other words for "Grumpy" include choleric, crabby, cranky, cross, crotchety, fiery, grouchy and irascible. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Grumpy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Grumpy"?

There are 82 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Grumpy". Common alternatives include choleric, crabby, cranky, cross, crotchety, fiery, grouchy, irascible, irritable and peevish.

What is the opposite of "Grumpy"?

Antonyms of "Grumpy" include forbearing, long-suffering, patient, stoic, tolerant and uncomplaining. Near antonyms include affable, companionable, cordial and extroverted.

How do you use "Grumpy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Grumpy" in a sentence: "a grumpy neighbor whose yard we had long ago learned not to trespass"; "the baby's sure to be grumpy if she doesn't get her afternoon nap".

Is "Grumpy" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Grumpy" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Grumpy"?

"Grumpy" is pronounced /ˈgrəm-pē/.

What is the origin of the word "Grumpy"?

First known use: 1750.