choleric
adjective
cho·ler·ic
ˈkä-lə-rik 
kə-ˈler-ik
kə-ˈler-ik
1
: easily moved to often unreasonable or excessive anger : hot-tempered
a perpetually choleric old grouser
Examples of choleric in a Sentence
watch out for the choleric librarian at the reference desk
I absolutely get choleric when a telemarketer calls during the dinner hour.
Recent Examples on the Web
Spiced with verbal humor, the necessary expositional scenes are expeditiously handled, reintroducing such Superman regulars as Jackie Cooper, the Daily Planet’s choleric editor, and Margot Kidder in her familiar role of Lois Lane, girl reporter.
—
Arthur Knight, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025
Both have professed deep affection for the comic-book series about a globe-trotting boy reporter, his wirehaired fox terrier, and his choleric seafaring friend.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Mar. 2010
Even outside politics, Mr. Jones’s choleric, wide-eyed style has influenced the way in which a new generation of conspiracy theorists looks for fame online.
—Kevin Roose, New York Times, 6 Aug. 2022
Mask agonists tend to be both crumbly and choleric, a bad combination and ample reason to seek comfort.
—Brian T. Allen, National Review, 17 Mar. 2022
He is replaced by a choleric, more professional West Indian, a lean black man with a faint, unplaceable accent.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper’s Magazine , 7 Dec. 2021
He is replaced by a choleric, more professional West Indian, a lean black man with a faint, unplaceable accent.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper’s Magazine , 7 Dec. 2021
He is replaced by a choleric, more professional West Indian, a lean black man with a faint, unplaceable accent.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper’s Magazine , 7 Dec. 2021
He is replaced by a choleric, more professional West Indian, a lean black man with a faint, unplaceable accent.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper’s Magazine , 7 Dec. 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Arthur Knight, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025
Both have professed deep affection for the comic-book series about a globe-trotting boy reporter, his wirehaired fox terrier, and his choleric seafaring friend.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Mar. 2010
Even outside politics, Mr. Jones’s choleric, wide-eyed style has influenced the way in which a new generation of conspiracy theorists looks for fame online.
—Kevin Roose, New York Times, 6 Aug. 2022
Mask agonists tend to be both crumbly and choleric, a bad combination and ample reason to seek comfort.
—Brian T. Allen, National Review, 17 Mar. 2022
He is replaced by a choleric, more professional West Indian, a lean black man with a faint, unplaceable accent.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper’s Magazine , 7 Dec. 2021
He is replaced by a choleric, more professional West Indian, a lean black man with a faint, unplaceable accent.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper’s Magazine , 7 Dec. 2021
He is replaced by a choleric, more professional West Indian, a lean black man with a faint, unplaceable accent.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper’s Magazine , 7 Dec. 2021
He is replaced by a choleric, more professional West Indian, a lean black man with a faint, unplaceable accent.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper’s Magazine , 7 Dec. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Choleric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/choleric. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
choleric
adjective
cho·ler·ic
ˈkäl-ə-rik
kə-ˈler-ik
kə-ˈler-ik
: easily made angry : hot tempered
Etymology
from earlier choler "yellow bile," from Middle English coler (same meaning), from early French colere (same meaning), from Latin cholera "cholera," from Greek (same meaning), taken by ancient authors as caused by bile (Greek cholē) see Word History at humor
Medical Definition
choleric
adjective
cho·ler·ic
ˈkäl-ə-rik
kə-ˈler-ik
kə-ˈler-ik
: easily moved to often unreasonable or excessive anger : hot-tempered
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