Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Annoyed and irritable: Describes a person who is easily angered, frequently in a state of annoyance, or has a tendency to become cross or grumpy.

Usage

• The word "bad-tempered" is used to describe a person's habitual or temporary mood and disposition. It is typically used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like "be" or "become").
• It describes a character trait or a temporary state of being easily provoked to anger or irritation.

Examples

• Attributive use (before a noun):
  • The bad-tempered manager often yelled at the staff for minor mistakes.
  • We tried to avoid the bad-tempered old man who lived down the street.
• Predicative use (after a linking verb):
  • He becomes very bad-tempered when he's hungry.
  • She has been unusually bad-tempered all week.

Advanced Usage

• "to be in a bad-tempered mood": To be temporarily irritable or grumpy.
  • Don't bother him now; he's in a bad-tempered mood.
• Used to describe animals known for aggression or irritability.
  • The bad-tempered bull charged at the fence.

Variants and Related Words

• Ill-tempered (adj): A direct synonym with the same meaning.
• Short-tempered (adj): Specifically describes someone who loses their temper quickly.
• Cantankerous (adj): Often used for an old person who is bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative.
• Grumpy (adj): More informal, suggesting a sullen, surly, or peevish bad temper.
• Bad temper (n): The noun form describing the characteristic itself.
  • His bad temper is well-known in the office.

Synonyms

• Irritable: Easily annoyed or made angry.
• Crabby: Informal; cross and irritable.
• Grouchy: Informal; tending to complain or be bad-tempered.
• Testy: Easily irritated, impatient, or exasperated.

Antonyms

• Good-tempered: Having a pleasant and patient disposition.
• Easygoing: Relaxed and tolerant in attitude or manner.
• Amiable: Having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.

Related Idioms

• To have a short fuse: To be quick to anger.
  • Be careful what you say; the boss has a short fuse today.
• To get out of bed on the wrong side: To be in a bad mood from the start of the day.
  • He's been snapping at everyone; he must have gotten out of bed on the wrong side.

Adjective

1. annoyed and irritable