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Cantankerous: meaning, definitions and examples

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cantankerous

 

[ kænˈtæŋkərəs ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

behavior

bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative

Synonyms

cranky, cross, grumpy, irascible, ornery.

Examples of usage

  • He had a cantankerous expression on his face.
  • I try to avoid talking to him when he's feeling cantankerous.
  • The cantankerous old man refused to help anyone.
Context #2 | Adjective

object

difficult to handle or control

Synonyms

obstinate, recalcitrant, stubborn, unmanageable, unruly.

Examples of usage

  • The cantankerous old printer kept jamming.
  • She struggled with the cantankerous lock on the door.

Translations

Translations of the word "cantankerous" in other languages:

🇵🇹 irritável

🇮🇳 चिड़चिड़ा

🇩🇪 streitsüchtig

🇮🇩 pemarah

🇺🇦 дратівливий

🇵🇱 kłótliwy

🇯🇵 怒りっぽい

🇫🇷 irascible

🇪🇸 irritable

🇹🇷 huysuz

🇰🇷 성미가 급한

🇸🇦 مشاكس

🇨🇿 hašteřivý

🇸🇰 hašterivý

🇨🇳 脾气暴躁的

🇸🇮 prepiren

🇮🇸 þrætugjarn

🇰🇿 ашулы

🇬🇪 ჯიუტი

🇦🇿 əsəbi

🇲🇽 irritable

Etymology

The word 'cantankerous' is believed to have originated in the 18th century. It is thought to be a combination of 'contentious' and 'rancorous'. Over time, 'cantankerous' has come to describe someone who is bad-tempered, argumentative, or difficult to deal with. The word has retained its negative connotation and is commonly used in English to describe a person or object that is uncooperative or hard to manage.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,339 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.