grumpy

adjective

ˈgrəm-pē 

grumpier; grumpiest

: easily and often annoyed or angered : surly

grumpily

ˈgrəm-pə-lē 

adverb

grumpiness

ˈgrəm-pē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of grumpy

• irritable

Examples of grumpy in a Sentence

Our neighbor is a grumpy old man.

I was feeling grumpy after my long flight.

Recent Examples on the Web

Depp popped out as Ebenezer Scrooge to give the crowd a monologue that was difficult to understand — but most people would expect that Scrooge said something grumpy and anti-Christmas. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 23 July 2026

With his bushy beard and a grumpy demeanor that belies a tender-hearted soul, Neill was destined to play a role like Hector. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026

Him, a lifelong journalist with a grumpy exterior but a soft spot for teaching the trade. — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 12 July 2026

Could the court compel the moose to become squinty-eyed and grumpy? — Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for grumpy

• bumpy
• dumpy
• jumpy
• lumpy
• stumpy