adjective

irascible

ih-RAS-uh-bul

Irascible (adjective) means Easily made angry; quick-tempered by nature. Example: “The old editor was brilliant, generous and thoroughly irascible.”

adjective

Easily made angry; quick-tempered by nature.

"The old editor was brilliant, generous and thoroughly irascible."

"He grew more irascible as the deadline slipped."

How to use irascible

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who loses their temper very easily.

When to use it

Formal and often affectionate, applied to a character rather than a one-off mood.

Memory tip

The noun is irascibility. Note the sc spelling, which follows the Latin irasci.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

irascible / irritable irascible / erasable

Common pairings

irascible temper irascible old man famously irascible irascible but kind

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The old editor was brilliant, generous and thoroughly _____.

Etymology

From Latin irascibilis, from irasci 'to grow angry', from ira 'anger'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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irritable short-tempered testy cantankerous hot-tempered

Antonyms

even-tempered placid easy-going genial

Related words

mental friendly calm pacific peaceful gentle mild sunny

Rhymes for irascible

Bible edible legible visible audible fungible feasible tangible possible flexible gullible sensible

See all rhymes for irascible →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between irascible and irritable?

Irritable describes a state you can be in temporarily, perhaps from tiredness or hunger. Irascible describes a settled disposition: the person is built that way and flares up easily at any time.

Is irascible an insult?

It is critical, but a mild and often fond criticism. It is frequently used of respected, difficult people such as veteran teachers, chefs and editors.

How do you pronounce irascible?

Say ih-RAS-uh-bul, with the stress on the second syllable and the sc pronounced as a simple s sound.

What is the meaning of irascible?

"irascible" (adjective) means easily made angry; quick-tempered by nature.

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