grumpy

or grump·ish

[ gruhm-pee ]

adjective

, grump·i·er, grump·i·est.

1. surly or ill-tempered; discontentedly or sullenly irritable; grouchy.

grumpy

/ ˈɡrʌmpɪ /

adjective

1. peevish; sulky Alsogrumpish

Derived Forms

• ˈgrumpily, adverb
• ˈgrumpiness, noun

Other Words From

• grumpi·ly adverb
• grumpi·ness noun
• un·grumpy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of grumpy¹

1770–80; grump expressive word, first attested in the phrase humps and grumps slights and snubs + -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of grumpy¹

C18: from grump + -y ¹

Example Sentences

You'd be forgiven for not remembering this slug-like monster, who played a small part as an extremely grumpy office worker in the animated film.

From BBC

I was grumpy about the change.

From Los Angeles Times

Jean-Baptiste delivers a stunning central performance in the lead role - she is highly watchable despite playing such a grumpy character.

From BBC

“I just find this to be an extremely unusual story. I can't even think of anything to compare it to except for ‘Grumpy Old Men,’ and that's a total farce with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau: old guys dealing with stuff that they're just no longer prepared to do,” Lithgow said.

From Salon

Once upon a time — before P-22 or Grumpy Cat — a rogue gator lurked in an L.A. lake.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cantankerous
• crotchety
• grouchy
• irritable
• sullen
• surly
• testy