adjective

grouchy

GROWT-shee

Grouchy (adjective) means Easily irritated and inclined to complain. Example: “He gets grouchy if he doesn't get his morning coffee.”

adjective

Easily irritated and inclined to complain.

"He gets grouchy if he doesn't get his morning coffee."

How to use grouchy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishIn a bad, irritable mood, often complaining about small things.

Common pairings

feel grouchy a grouchy mood

grouchier comparative, grouchiest superlative

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He gets _____ if he doesn't get his morning coffee.

From grouch plus "-y," first recorded around 1895 as American college slang.

· First attested 1895

Class of 1895 grouchy joined the language around 1895.

multiverse Nobel Valentino

See the full Class of 1895 →

duchy touchy

What does “grouchy” mean?

The word “grouchy” means easily irritated and inclined to complain. In plain terms, in a bad, irritable mood, often complaining about small things.

How do you pronounce “grouchy”?

“Grouchy” is pronounced GROWT-shee (/ˈɡɹaʊt͡ʃi/ in IPA).

How do you use “grouchy” in a sentence?

Here is “grouchy” used in a sentence: “He gets grouchy if he doesn't get his morning coffee.”

What part of speech is “grouchy”?

“Grouchy” is an adjective.

Where does the word “grouchy” come from?

The word “grouchy” dates back to around 1895. From grouch plus "-y," first recorded around 1895 as American college slang.