bad-tempered
/'bæd'tempəd/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- annoyed and irritable