curmudgeon

[ ker-muhj-uhn ]

noun

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

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

curmudgeon

/ kɜːˈmʌdʒən /

noun

1. a surly or miserly person

Derived Forms

• curˈmudgeonly, adjective

Other Words From

• cur·mudg·eon·ly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of curmudgeon¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of curmudgeon¹

C16: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Simply maintaining its funny wouldn’t be especially remarkable, regardless of Ford’s admirable comic timing as the group’s unofficially patriarch/wise man/curmudgeon.

From Salon

Larry is the lying, socially inept, passively offensive curmudgeon you wouldn’t be able to stand in real life.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a perfect role for curmudgeon specialist Paul Giamatti, if not quite the pure pleasure of a loser he previously played for director Alexander Payne in “Sideways.”

From Los Angeles Times

I had no trouble coming up with a compilation, but because it makes me sound like a curmudgeon, I’ve created two separate lists: six things I won’t do in 2024, and eight things I will.

From Los Angeles Times

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