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

The film opens upon a typical grumpy New York day, with traffic snarling the streets and horns honking. — Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

Research from as recently as 2019 noted that older women are often relegated to supporting roles onscreen, or are consistently portrayed as grumpy, frumpy, or senile. — Valerie Monroe, Allure, 15 Sep. 2026

One fond memory of Telluride is once being trapped in a gondola with the often grumpy Mike Leigh. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026

There was another version where Daniela was grumpy and dark, the complete opposite of Maria. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for grumpy

• bumpy
• dumpy
• jumpy
• lumpy
• stumpy