curmudgeonly

[ ker-muhj-uhn-lee ]

adjective

1. like or characteristic of a bad-tempered, difficult, cantankerous person:

   While one could point a curmudgeonly finger of blame at “these young kids today,” many older Americans haven't exactly been model citizens either.

adverb

1. in the manner of such a person:

   After several weak episodes the new season seems to be finally snapping into place—although I am, curmudgeonly, a little peeved that it took so long.

Word History and Origins

Origin of curmudgeonly¹

curmudgeon ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Larry David, who as the show’s curmudgeonly star is better known for breaking social norms than actual laws, travels to Atlanta in the episode.

From New York Times

Two curmudgeonly old rivals are marching toward a showdown that a lot of people really wish wasn’t happening.

From New York Times

Two curmudgeonly old rivals, reclusive spendthrifts, are marching toward a showdown that a lot of people really wish wasn’t happening.

From New York Times

A curmudgeonly teacher at an exclusive boys' school in the 1970s reluctantly finds himself having to look after a group of students who aren't able to return home for the holidays.

From BBC

“American Fiction” finds Wright, like Giamatti, playing a curmudgeonly educator whose hard exterior masks a tender longing.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• boorish
• dour
• irritable
• morose
• rude
• sullen
• testy
• ugly