adjective
Uncommon
cranky
KRANG-kee
Cranky (adjective) means Easily irritated; grumpy and bad-tempered. Example: “The toddler gets cranky when she misses her nap.”
adjective
1
Easily irritated; grumpy and bad-tempered.
"The toddler gets cranky when she misses her nap."
"He was cranky after the long, delayed flight."
2
Not working properly; faulty or unreliable.
"The old printer is cranky and jams constantly."
How to use cranky
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGrumpy and easily irritated, or (of a machine) unreliable and prone to malfunctioning.
Common pairings
cranky toddler
cranky old machine
get cranky
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Word forms
- Comparative
- crankier
- Superlative
- crankiest
Fill the gap
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The toddler gets _____ when she misses her nap.
Etymology
From crank plus the adjective ending -y, related to a Low German word for "sickly" or "unwell".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for cranky
See all rhymes for 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.
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