grouch

noun

ˈgrau̇ch 

1

: a habitually irritable or complaining person : grumbler

2

a

: a fit of bad temper

b

: grudge, complaint

grouch intransitive verb

Synonyms of grouch

• complainer
• crab
• bear
• crank
• curmudgeon
• grump

Examples of grouch in a Sentence

an uncle who is a real grouch when he's sick

having been proven wrong, he had a grouch on for hours afterwards

Recent Examples on the Web

Directed by Ti West, the holiday film is described as a dark reimagining of the Charles Dickens’ classic, with Depp playing the infamous Christmas grouch Ebenezer Scrooge. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 23 July 2026

The new arrival to the town, Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina) is a curmudgeonly grouch with a heart of gold, consumed with grief over his late wife, Lily (Jane Kaczmarek). — Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

Harry is a grouch and Oslo is his trash can, which isn’t the way the city is traditionally depicted, with Santelmann making the descent into greater and greater bleakness seem organic. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026

The new musical comedy show will star a frazzled leader, ambitious lieutenant, playful maverick, cranky grouch and quirky problem solver, according to the Disney Auditions website. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 2 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of grutch grudge; from Middle English grucche, grugge, from grucchen — more at grudge

First Known Use

circa 1895, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for grouch

• bouche
• couch
• crouch
• ouch
• pouch
• slouch
• vouch

Kids Definition

grouch

noun

ˈgrau̇ch 

1

: a sudden outburst of bad temper

2

: an irritable or complaining person

grouch verb

grouchily

ˈgrau̇-chə-lē

adverb

grouchiness

-chē-nəs

noun

grouchy

-chē

adjective