angry

The word “angry” means feeling or showing strong displeasure or hostility. In plain terms, feeling or showing strong displeasure — also used for sore-looking wounds or stormy skies.

“Angry” is pronounced ANG-gree (/ˈeɪ̯ŋ.ɡɹi/ in IPA).

Here is “angry” used in a sentence: “She was angry that no one had told her about the change.”

Words with a similar meaning to “angry” include agitated, bad-tempered, berserk, big mad, blood-boiling and boiling mad.

The opposite of “angry” — its antonyms — are calm, sanguine and serene.

“Angry” is an adjective.

The word “angry” comes from Middle English. From Middle English angry, based on the noun anger, ultimately from Old Norse angr.

“Angry” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

In everyday use they overlap, both meaning feeling strong displeasure. "Angry" is the standard, more formal choice and works everywhere. "Mad" is more informal and especially common in American English, where "mad at someone" means angry with them. "Mad" also separately means insane, a sense that "angry" never carries.

Anger is strong displeasure or hostility, often directed at a person or situation seen as unfair. Frustration is the irritation of being blocked from a goal, like slow traffic or a task that won't work. Frustration can build into anger, but you can feel frustrated without being truly angry at anyone.

The most direct opposites are "calm" and "pleased." Depending on the sense, "content," "happy," "peaceful," and "good-tempered" also work. If anger is strong displeasure, its opposite is a settled, untroubled state — feeling relaxed and at ease rather than hostile or upset with someone or something.

Anger itself is neither good nor bad; it is a natural human emotion that signals something feels wrong or unfair. What matters is how it is expressed. Handled well, anger can motivate change and set healthy boundaries. Handled poorly, it can harm relationships and lead to regret, so managing it is key.