adjective

cantankerous

/kænˈtæŋkərəs/ · say it: kan·TANG·ker·uhs

bad-tempered and argumentative

In Personality & Character

In more detail

1. (adjective) bad-tempered and always complaining; easily annoyed

Examples

My cantankerous grandfather complains about everything.

How to use cantankerous

Cantankerous describes someone habitually bad-tempered and quick to complain or argue, often with an implication of old age or long-standing grumpiness. It is more severe and entrenched than irritable, and carries a somewhat affectionate or resigned tone in everyday use. The word is common in literary and descriptive contexts.

Common phrases

cantankerous old man
cantankerous disposition
cantankerous neighbor
cantankerous temperament
grow/become cantankerous

Synonyms

grumpy · irritable · quarrelsome · curmudgeonly · peevish

Opposites

good-natured · amiable · cheerful

Word family

cantankerously (adverb) · cantankerousness (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use cantankerous to describe a temporary bad mood rather than an established character trait; it implies a chronic disposition, not a momentary irritation.

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