crabby

[ krab-ee ]

adjective

, crab·bi·er, crab·bi·est.

1. Informal. grouchy; ill-natured; irritable; peevish.

crabby

/ ˈkræbɪ /

adjective

1. bad-tempered

Other Words From

• crabbi·ly adverb
• crabbi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of crabby¹

First recorded in 1540–50; crab ³ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

John Ashton, the veteran actor who was best known for portraying crabby Detective John Taggart in the “Beverly Hills Cop” franchise, has died.

From Los Angeles Times

“He seemed a little crabby when I was a kid,” Arnold remembered of his grandfather.

From Salon

The idea of giving up steak, Manhattans or Instagram would make me crabby.

From Seattle Times

If you try to pay as little as possible no matter what, you can wind up with crabby kids who aren’t having fun and go out of their way to make sure you’re not, either.

From Seattle Times

But nobody wants to tell the candidate — who is already crabby and a little desperate — that the campaign is circling the drain.

From Washington Times