Grouchy: meaning, definitions and examples
😠
grouchy
[ˈɡraʊtʃi ]
Definitions
feeling or showing discontent or irritation
Grouchy is used to describe someone who is often in a bad mood, easily irritated, or grumpy. It can refer to a person who is frequently displeased or dissatisfied with their surroundings or circumstances.
Synonyms
cantankerous, crabby, cross, grumpy, irritable.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| grouchy |
Use in casual or informal settings to describe someone who is in a bad mood for a short period or is generally a bit unpleasant.
|
| grumpy |
Use this word to describe someone who is consistently in a bad mood or easily upset, frequently used in casual settings.
|
| irritable |
Use in both formal and informal contexts to describe someone who easily becomes annoyed or angry. This word often implies a temporary state but can also be used for a chronic condition.
|
| crabby |
Use this word in informal situations to describe someone who is irritable and easily annoyed. It is often used for temporary bad moods.
|
| cantankerous |
Use this word for someone who is difficult to deal with and often argues or complains, typically used to describe older people. It can sound quite formal.
|
| cross |
Use this word in both formal and informal situations to describe someone who is mildly angry or annoyed, often used with children.
|
Examples of usage
- She's always grouchy in the mornings before she has her coffee.
- The grouchy old man next door yelled at the kids for playing too loudly.
- Don't be so grouchy, it's just a little rain.
- I can't stand his grouchy attitude, it's so draining.
- Why are you so grouchy today? Did something happen?
a person who is often in a bad mood
A grouchy is a person who is habitually irritable, easily annoyed, or frequently dissatisfied. This term is typically used informally to describe someone's temperament or disposition.
Synonyms
crabby person, crank, curmudgeon, grouch, grump.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| grouchy |
Used to describe someone who is easily irritated or in a bad mood, often temporarily. It can be used in casual and everyday conversations.
|
| grump |
A casual term for someone who is temporarily in a bad mood or frequently complains. It's often used in an affectionate or light-hearted manner.
|
| curmudgeon |
Used to refer to an old man who is often grumpy and unapproachable, typically used in a somewhat affectionate or humorous way.
|
| crank |
Informal term used to describe someone with eccentric or strange behavior, often leaning towards being irritable or bad-tempered. This term can have a slightly negative connotation.
|
| crabby person |
Describes someone who is frequently irritable or ill-tempered. It's often used in a light-hearted or teasing manner.
|
| grouch |
Refers to someone who is habitually grumpy or complains a lot. This term is often used informally.
|
Examples of usage
- Don't mind him, he's just a grouchy in the mornings.
- She's a real grouchy before she has her breakfast.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word 'grouchy' comes from the verb 'grouch', which has roots in the Middle English term 'grucchen', meaning to complain or grumble.
- It was first used in the 19th century, reflecting the emotional state of being sulky or irritable.
- The word has a playful tone, which likely stems from its frequent use in children's literature and cartoons.
Psychology
- Feeling grouchy can be linked to fatigue, as lack of sleep often leads to irritability.
- Sometimes, underlying emotions like stress or sadness can cause people to appear grouchy, even if they don't show it openly.
- Studies indicate that grouchy moods can affect social interactions, making it harder for individuals to connect with others.
Popular Culture
- 'The Grouch' is a well-known character in the classic children's show Sesame Street, known for his grumpy demeanor and love for trash.
- The term 'grouchy' is often used in songs, movies, and books to depict characters that are hard to get along with but often provide comic relief.
- Grouchy characters frequently appear in fairy tales, where their attitude helps highlight the virtues of kindness and cheerfulness in others.
Literature
- In literature, grouchy characters often symbolize the struggle against negativity and the journey toward happiness.
- Authors like Charles Dickens and Roald Dahl have created memorable grouchy characters that challenge the protagonists, adding depth to the story.
- The contrast between grouchy characters and cheerful ones is a common narrative technique to explore themes of friendship and understanding.
Everyday Language
- Grouchy is often used humorously in everyday conversations to describe someone acting cranky, suggesting a lighthearted approach to mood swings.
- Parents might jokingly refer to themselves as grouchy when they’re tired but want to make their children smile.
- The term can also be used affectionately, such as calling someone 'my little grouch' to express endearment despite their bad mood.
Translations
Translations of the word "grouchy" in other languages:
🇵🇹 mal-humorado
🇮🇳 चिड़चिड़ा
🇩🇪 mürrisch
🇮🇩 pemarah
🇺🇦 дратівливий
🇵🇱 zrzędliwy
🇯🇵 不機嫌
🇫🇷 grincheux
🇪🇸 malhumorado
🇹🇷 huysuz
🇰🇷 성미가 까다로운
🇸🇦 عابس
🇨🇿 mrzutý
🇸🇰 mrzutý
🇨🇳 脾气暴躁
🇸🇮 godrnjav
🇮🇸 þrjóskur
🇰🇿 ашулы
🇬🇪 გაბრაზებული
🇦🇿 əsəbi
🇲🇽 gruñón