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

• ˈgrumpiness, noun
• ˈgrumpily, adverb

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

So everyone’s almost bonding over the fact that it’s that last week and that everybody’s grumpy.

From Time

Consider this an intervention on the part of a grumpy longtime car journalist.

From Outside Online

Online, you can find reviews from grumpy customers who say the procedure doesn’t clean ovens that are really spattered.

From Washington Post

I become standoffish and grumpy when it’s time to pay the rent.

From Vox

There are a lot of grumpy, would-be Michelangelos out there who feel that somehow this isn’t “real” design—and isn’t what they signed up for.

From Fortune

It was a peculiar moment where viral content came to life; as if Grumpy Cat came onstage and began speaking.

From The Daily Beast

The second annual Friskies cat-video awards show, featuring an appearance from Grumpy Cat, will decide October 15.

From The Daily Beast

When the candidate was sullen and grumpy—which was often—he could read his mood and adjust the bubble accordingly.

From The Daily Beast

Most of his time, though, is dedicated to one famous little sourpuss: Grumpy Cat.

From The Daily Beast

From a coffee line to an upcoming movie, Grumpy has it made.

From The Daily Beast

Even the gruff, grumpy, unsociable rhinoceros amiably allowed him to stroke its head with his trunk.

From Project Gutenberg

Im a confirmed old bachelor, a grumpy, surly recluse wedded to my pipe, but for all that I have eyes in my head.

From Project Gutenberg

Never be grumpy, man, when I've got the most glorious bit of fun in the world to tell you, too.

From Project Gutenberg

And that was the same as saying that there wasn't anybody any quicker—unless it was Grumpy Weasel himself.

From Project Gutenberg

I think I love him a great deal better than my husband, who is getting stout, and grumpy,—what he calls "busy."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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