choleric

adjective

cho·​ler·​ic ˈkä-lə-rik How to pronounce choleric (audio) kə-ˈler-ik How to pronounce choleric (audio)
1
: easily moved to often unreasonable or excessive anger : hot-tempered
a perpetually choleric old grouser
2
: angry, irate
a choleric outburst
cholerically
ˈkä-lə-ri-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce choleric (audio)
kə-ˈler-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb

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 Answering the question now is choleric. John Baldoni, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2021 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'choleric.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see cholera

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of choleric was in 1556

Dictionary Entries Near choleric

Cite this Entry

“Choleric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/choleric. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

choleric

adjective
cho·​ler·​ic ˈkäl-ə-rik How to pronounce choleric (audio) kə-ˈler-ik How to pronounce choleric (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce choleric (audio) kə-ˈler-ik How to pronounce choleric (audio)
: easily moved to often unreasonable or excessive anger : hot-tempered
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!