noun
grinch
grihnch
Grinch (noun) means a grumpy, joyless person who spoils others' fun, especially around the holidays. Example: “Don't be such a grinch — come join the party!”
noun
1
A grumpy, joyless person who spoils others' fun, especially around the holidays.
"Don't be such a grinch — come join the party!"
How to use grinch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA modern nickname for anyone who acts like a grump and ruins the festive mood.
Common pairings
act like a grinch
a real grinch
don't be a grinch
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Word forms
- Plural
- grinches
- Third person singular
- grinches
- Past tense
- grinched
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Don't be such a _____ — come join the party!
Etymology
Named after the grumpy title character of Dr. Seuss's 1957 book "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" — the character's name has since become a generic term for any holiday killjoy.
Class of 1957
grinch joined the language around 1957.
See the full Class of 1957 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for grinch
See all rhymes for grinch →Frequently asked questions
What does “grinch” mean?
The word “grinch” means a grumpy, joyless person who spoils others' fun, especially around the holidays. In plain terms, a modern nickname for anyone who acts like a grump and ruins the festive mood.
How do you pronounce “grinch”?
“Grinch” is pronounced grihnch (/ɡɹɪnt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “grinch” in a sentence?
Here is “grinch” used in a sentence: “Don't be such a grinch — come join the party!”
What part of speech is “grinch”?
“Grinch” is a noun.
Where does the word “grinch” come from?
The word “grinch” dates back to around 1957. Named after the grumpy title character of Dr. Seuss's 1957 book "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" — the character's name has since become a generic term for any holiday killjoy.
