ill-humouredness

A man's ill-humouredness is clear from his scowl and crossed arms.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A state of being irritable or morose: "ill-humouredness" refers to a disposition or temporary mood characterized by irritability, sullenness, or a tendency to be disagreeable and grumpy.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • His constant ill-humouredness made it difficult for anyone to work with him. (His persistent irritable mood caused problems in collaboration.)
  • The rainy weather seemed to bring out a general ill-humouredness in the office. (The gloomy weather caused everyone to feel grumpy and disagreeable.)

Advanced Usage

• "to display ill-humouredness": to show signs of being in a bad mood.

  • She displayed ill-humouredness throughout the meeting, snapping at every question. (She showed irritability and was short-tempered.)

• "a fit of ill-humouredness": a sudden, temporary period of being irritable.

  • He had a fit of ill-humouredness after losing his keys. (He became suddenly grumpy and annoyed.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ill-humoured (adj): being in a bad mood; irritable or sullen.

  • The ill-humoured waiter ignored our requests. (The waiter was grumpy and unhelpful.)

• Ill-humour (n): a bad or irritable mood.

  • His ill-humour was evident from his frown. (His bad mood was clear from his expression.)

Synonyms

• Sullenness: a gloomy and silent state of being irritable.
• Grumpiness: a tendency to complain or be easily annoyed.
• Moroseness: a state of being gloomy, sullen, and withdrawn.

Related Idioms

• To get out of the wrong side of the bed: to start the day in a bad mood.

  • He must have gotten out of the wrong side of the bed — his ill-humouredness is unbearable. (He is unusually irritable today.)

• To have a chip on one's shoulder: to be easily offended or have a resentful attitude.

  • Her ill-humouredness comes from a chip on her shoulder about her past. (Her irritability stems from unresolved resentment.)