Definition

Noun: A curmudgeon is a bad-tempered, difficult, and often old person who is easily annoyed and frequently complains. The word implies a gruff, stubborn, and sometimes miserly character.

Usage

The word "curmudgeon" is used to describe a person, typically older, who is habitually irritable, argumentative, and resistant to change. It often carries a tone of humorous or affectionate exasperation rather than pure malice.

Examples

• The old man next door is a real curmudgeon who yells at children for stepping on his lawn.
• Despite his reputation as a curmudgeon, he secretly donated to the local animal shelter.
• She played the lovable curmudgeon in the sitcom, always grumbling but with a heart of gold.

Advanced Usage

• "To play the curmudgeon": To adopt a deliberately grumpy or contrary attitude, often for humorous effect or to make a point.
  • I know I'm playing the curmudgeon, but I think music was better in the 80s.

Variants and Related Words

• Curmudgeonly (adjective): Having the characteristics of a curmudgeon; ill-tempered and stubborn.
  • He offered some curmudgeonly advice about never trusting banks.

Synonyms

• Grouch: A habitually complaining or irritable person.
• Misanthrope: A person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society. (This is stronger and more philosophical than "curmudgeon".)
• Crank: A person with eccentric ideas who is easily irritated.

Idioms and Phrases

• "An old curmudgeon": A common collocation emphasizing the age often associated with the temperament.
  • He's turning into an old curmudgeon, refusing to learn how to use a smartphone.

Noun

1. a crusty irascible cantankerous old person full of stubborn ideas