cantankerous

[ kan-tang-ker-uhs ]

adjective

1. disagreeable to deal with; contentious; peevish:

   a cantankerous, argumentative man.

cantankerous

/ kænˈtæŋkərəs /

adjective

1. quarrelsome; irascible

Derived Forms

• canˈtankerously, adverb
• canˈtankerousness, noun

Other Words From

• can·tanker·ous·ly adverb
• can·tanker·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cantankerous¹

First recorded in 1765–75; origin uncertain; earlier contankerous , perhaps derivation of Middle English contack, conteck “quarrel, contention,” from Anglo-French contek, formed on the models of contentious, rancorous

Word History and Origins

Origin of cantankerous¹

C18: perhaps from C14 (obsolete) conteckour a contentious person, from conteck strife, from Anglo-French contek, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

Dodger Stadium can be a cantankerous place, particularly when a ball is hit into the stands.

From Los Angeles Times

It seems it was the Democrats’ unpopular, senescent, cantankerous candidate who was holding them back after all.

From Los Angeles Times

He was known to colleagues as cantankerous, but he was also so knowledgeable about history and politics that he could broadcast for hours without notes or a script.

From New York Times

With a cantankerous display of Not-In-My-Backyard-ism, for example, determined local activists in the Tri-Cities have come close to killing the $1.7 billion Horse Heaven Hills Wind Energy Center in Eastern Washington.

From Seattle Times

But if I required an effective cure for a problematic colleague, for example, or a cantankerous neighbor, I used to call True Believer.

From Salon

Related Words

• cranky
• dour
• grouchy
• grumpy
• irascible
• prickly
• quarrelsome
• testy