curmudgeon

American  

[ker-muhj-uhn] / kərˈmʌdʒ ən /

noun

1. a bad-tempered, difficult, cantankerous person.

   Synonyms:

   crosspatch, kvetch, sourpuss, bear, crank, grump, grouch

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curmudgeon British  

/ kɜːˈmʌdʒən /

noun

1. a surly or miserly person

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Other Word Forms

• curmudgeonly adjective

Etymology

Origin of curmudgeon

First recorded in 1570–80; unexplained; perhaps cur-, representing cur

Explanation

Old, cranky, and more than a little stubborn, a curmudgeon is the gruff, grey-haired neighbor who refuses to hand out candy at Halloween and shoos away holiday carolers with a "bah humbug!" As fickle and stubborn as the type of person it describes, curmudgeon comes to us without a history, its origins undisclosed. It was originally believed to have come from coeur mechant, the French phrase for “evil heart,” but that theory has been long discarded. Don't worry though, you’ll know a curmudgeon when you see one: He’ll be ill-tempered and miserly, eager to shake his fist and spout disagreeable opinions.

Example Sentences

But after Christopher left, Julian became a shell of his former self — a cantankerous curmudgeon, known more for his Simon Cowell-esque criticism on the long-running reality show “Art Fight” than his work.

From Salon • Apr. 17, 2026

The L.A. comedy scene’s favorite curmudgeon is still finding the will to propel himself forward, hurtling over one existential crisis after another.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2025

I’m just a girl charmed by his curmudgeon demeanor and annoyance for everything.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2025

Grant is also a self-proclaimed miserable curmudgeon, which he’ll say with a straight face right before saying something completely contradictory.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 5, 2023

Dad says his uncle was a charming curmudgeon, which I think means grumpy with some niceness thrown in.

From "Crenshaw" by Katherine Applegate