irascible
/i'ræsibl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Easily provoked to anger; having a hot temper: Describes a person who becomes angry very quickly and frequently, often over minor matters.
- Characterized by or arising from anger: Describes a mood, response, or behavior that is marked by irritability and a tendency to flare up.
Usage
- The word irascible is a formal adjective used to describe a person's temperament or a reaction stemming from such a temperament. It implies a habitual, ingrained tendency toward irritability rather than a single, isolated incident of anger.
- It is often used in literary, psychological, or descriptive contexts.
Examples
- Describing a person:
- The old professor was known to be brilliant but irascible, often snapping at students who asked simple questions.
- Despite his irascible nature, he had a kind heart that few took the time to discover.
- Describing a mood or response:
- She gave an irascible reply, tired of repeating the same instructions.
- His irascible outburst was triggered by the constant noise from the construction site.
Advanced Usage
- "Irascible" vs. "Angry": While "angry" describes a temporary emotional state, "irascible" describes a permanent character trait. An irascible person is to becoming angry.
- In literature and description: The term is often used to add depth to a character's personality, suggesting a prickly exterior that may hide other qualities.
- The detective in the novel was a classic irascible genius, solving crimes but alienating everyone with his temper.
Variants and Related Words
- Irascibility (noun): The quality or state of being irascible.
- His irascibility made him a difficult colleague.
- Irascibly (adverb): In an irascible manner.
- He muttered irascibly under his breath.
Synonyms
- Hot-tempered: Quickly and easily angered.
- Testy: Irritably impatient.
- Cantankerous: Bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative (often used for older people).
- Choleric (formal): Easily angered; bad-tempered.
- Quick-tempered: Liable to lose temper quickly.
Antonyms
- Easygoing: Relaxed and tolerant.
- Placid: Not easily upset or excited.
- Good-natured: Kind, patient, and not easily angered.
- Phlegmatic (formal): Having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition.
Idioms and Phrases
- While there is no specific idiom using the word irascible, the concept is captured in common phrases like:
- To have a short fuse: To be easily angered.
- Be careful what you say; he has a very short fuse.
- To fly off the handle: To suddenly become very angry.
- He flies off the handle at the slightest criticism.
Adjective
- characterized by anger
- a choleric outburst
- an irascible response
- quickly aroused to anger
- a hotheaded commander