Curmudgeon: meaning, definitions and examples

Used for someone who is habitually bad-tempered, old, and often grumpy about trivial things.

• The old curmudgeon next door yelled at the kids for playing too loudly.
• Despite being a curmudgeon, he has a heart of gold.

Commonly used for someone who is frequently complaining or in a bad mood.

• Don't be such a grouch; it's just a little rain.
• He's a real grouch in the mornings before his coffee.

Used informally to describe someone who is often irritable or in a bad mood, but in a somewhat light-hearted way.

• Why is she such a grump today?
• Even the happiest person can turn into a grump without enough sleep.

Used to describe a person who has odd or eccentric ideas and is often irritable.

• John's constant complaints about corporate conspiracies make him sound like a crank.
• She can be a bit of a crank when it comes to her diet.

Used for someone who has a general dislike or distrust of other people and avoids social interactions, often with a negative connotation.

• As a misanthrope, he seldom attends any social events.
• The writer's misanthropic views are evident in his novels.