crotchety

/'krɔtʃiti/

Thân thiện

The old man gave a crotchety reply when asked for directions.

Definition

Adjective: * Having a difficult, irritable, and often eccentric or unpredictable disposition; prone to complaining, being stubborn, or being in a bad mood, especially in a way that seems unreasonable or peculiar.

Usage

• This word is used to describe a person, typically an older person, who is habitually irritable, easily annoyed, and contrary. It often implies a degree of stubbornness and a tendency to have peculiar, fixed ideas or whims.
• It is more descriptive and slightly less harsh than words like "cantankerous" or "surly," sometimes carrying a hint of eccentricity alongside the irritability.

Examples

• The crotchety old man yelled at the children to stay off his lawn.
• Despite her crotchety exterior, she had a kind heart and always fed the stray cats.
• He became increasingly crotchety in the mornings until he had his first cup of coffee.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metaphorically to describe non-human things that are difficult to manage or operate, implying a stubborn, unpredictable nature.
  • The crotchety old printer would only work when it felt like it.

Variants and Related Words

• Crotchet (noun): An odd, whimsical, or stubborn notion or habit. This is the root word from which "crotchety" is derived.
  • He has a crotchet about never wearing the color green.

Synonyms

• Cantankerous
• Irascible
• Grumpy
• Grouchy
• Crabby
• Testy
• Peevish
• Contrary

Antonyms

• Agreeable
• Amiable
• Good-natured
• Easygoing
• Pleasant

Học thuật

Adjective

1. having a difficult and contrary disposition
   • a cantankerous and venomous-tongued old lady- Dorothy Sayers

Từ đồng nghĩa

• cantankerous
• ornery