cranky
12 synonyms for cranky, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Easily irritated; grumpy and bad-tempered.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use cranky
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
cranky toddler
cranky old machine
get cranky
Etymology
From crank plus the adjective ending -y, related to a Low German word for "sickly" or "unwell".
Full origin of cranky →Frequently asked questions
What does “cranky” mean?
The word “cranky” means easily irritated; grumpy and bad-tempered. In plain terms, grumpy and easily irritated, or (of a machine) unreliable and prone to malfunctioning.
How do you pronounce “cranky”?
“Cranky” is pronounced KRANG-kee (/ˈkɹæŋki/ in IPA).
How do you use “cranky” in a sentence?
Here is “cranky” used in a sentence: “The toddler gets cranky when she misses her nap.”
What part of speech is “cranky”?
“Cranky” is an adjective.
Where does the word “cranky” come from?
The word “cranky” comes from German. From crank plus the adjective ending -y, related to a Low German word for "sickly" or "unwell".
Is “cranky” a common word?
“Cranky” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cranky” have?
“Cranky” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: easily irritated; grumpy and bad-tempered.
