Irritable — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈir-ə-tə-bəl/ ir·ri·ta·ble

Meaning & Definition of Irritable

Irritable (adjective)

  1. capable of being irritated
  2. easily exasperated or excited
  3. responsive to stimuli

Irritable (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. easily irritated or annoyed

    "that irritable old man always yells at people to stay off of his lawn"

    similar: choleric, crabby, cranky, cross, crotchety, fiery, grouchy, grumpy, irascible, 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

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Irritable

The most common words with a similar meaning to Irritable:

choleric, crabby, cranky, cross, crotchety, fiery, grouchy, grumpy, irascible, 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 Words for Irritable

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

Near Antonyms of Irritable

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

Word Forms of Irritable

Derived words: irritableness (noun), irritably (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Irritable

First known use: 1662

Words & Phrases Containing Irritable

irritable bowel syndrome

Frequently Asked Questions about Irritable

What does "Irritable" mean?

"Irritable" means capable of being irritated. As an adjective, it is defined as: capable of being irritated.

What is another word for "Irritable"?

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

What are different ways to say "Irritable"?

There are 66 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Irritable". Common alternatives include choleric, crabby, cranky, cross, crotchety, fiery, grouchy, grumpy, irascible and peevish.

How do you use "Irritable" in a sentence?

Examples of "Irritable" in a sentence: "that irritable old man always yells at people to stay off of his lawn".

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

"Irritable" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Irritable"?

"Irritable" is pronounced /ˈir-ə-tə-bəl/ and divided into syllables as ir·ri·ta·ble.

What is the origin of the word "Irritable"?

First known use: 1662.

What is another word for "Irritable" meaning "easily irritated or annoyed"?

When "Irritable" (adjective) means easily irritated or annoyed, synonyms include choleric, crabby, cranky, cross, crotchety and fiery.