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Synonyms

grouchy

1 American  
[grou-chee] / ˈgraʊ tʃi /

adjective

grouchier, grouchiest

  1. sullenly discontented; sulky; morose; ill-tempered.

Grouchy 2 American  
[groo-shee] / gruˈʃi /

noun

  1. Emmanuel Marquis de, 1766–1847, French general.

ˈgrouchy British  
/ ˈɡraʊtʃɪ /

adjective

  1. informal bad-tempered; tending to complain; peevish

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • grouchily adverb
  • grouchiness noun

Etymology

Origin of grouchy

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; grouch + -y 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I don’t buy his grouchy act for a second.

From Literature

He looked grouchy, and didn’t even say “Good morning” to any of us.

From Literature

More forms and records gathered sooner means fewer terse emails from your grouchy accountant — and less time waiting for your refund.

From MarketWatch

"And I turn grouchy. I snarl at everyone."

From Literature

Penelope had implored the children to take naps in the afternoon so as not to be grouchy later, but their excitement made sleep impossible.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.