irritable

1 of 2

adjective

ir·​ri·​ta·​ble ˈir-ə-tə-bəl 

: capable of being irritated: such as

a

: easily exasperated or excited

gets irritable when he tires

b

: responsive to stimuli

irritableness noun

irritably

ˈir-ə-tə-blē 

adverb

irritableness

2 of 2

noun

ir·​ri·​ta·​ble·​ness

plural -es

: irritability

Synonyms of irritable

Adjective

• fiery
• snappish
• irascible
• peevish
• grumpy
• grouchy
• petulant
• crabby
• cross
• cranky
• testy
• crotchety
• waspish
• pettish
• choleric
• short-tempered
• passionate
• snarky
• raspy
• snippy

Examples of irritable in a Sentence

Adjective

My father is always irritable after a nap.

I came home from work feeling tired and irritable.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

They can be withdrawn or irritable. —Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 14 June 2026

While Hockney worked, Auden, as the artist recalled, played the part of the impatient, irritable grump. —Mark Rozzo, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026

But Maguire, now 43, became sad and irritable, and didn’t want to be around his newborn. —Keith Wagstaff, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026

Additionally, Owens' youngest child, Titus, who was just a toddler when his mother died, was confused, irritable and inconsolable in the weeks after her death, Dias shared. —Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1662, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing irritable

• irritable bowel syndrome

Kids Definition

irritable

adjective

ir·​ri·​ta·​ble ˈir-ət-ə-bəl 

: capable of being irritated

especially : easily irritated

gets irritable when he's tired

irritableness noun

irritably

-blē 

adverb

Medical Definition

irritable

adjective

ir·​ri·​ta·​ble ˈir-ət-ə-bəl 

: characterized by irritability: as

a

: easily exasperated or excited

b

: responsive to stimuli