irascible

adjective

iras·ci·ble | \ i-ˈra-sə-bəl

Definition of irascible

: marked by hot temper and easily provoked anger

Other Words from irascible Synonyms Irascible Has an Angry History Example Sentences Learn More about irascible

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Other Words from irascible

irascibility \ i-ˌra-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē

\ noun

irascibleness \ i-ˈra-sə-bəl-nəs

\ noun

irascibly \ i-ˈra-sə-blē

\ adverb

Irascible Has an Angry History

If you try to take apart "irascible" in the same manner as "irrational," "irresistible," or "irresponsible," you might find yourself wondering what "ascible" means-but that's not how "irascible" came to be. The key to the meaning of "irascible" isn't the negative prefix ir- (which is used before words that begin with "r"), but the Latin noun ira, meaning "anger." From "ira," which is also the root of "irate" and "ire," came the Latin verb irasci ("to become angry"), which led to French irascible. English speakers borrowed the word from French in the 16th century.

Examples of irascible in a Sentence

an irascible old football coach He has an irascible disposition.

Recent Examples on the Web

The subsequent hearing attracted national attention, with reporters cramming into the Brattleboro town hall, and, in the opinion of most, the jokey, convivial local fellow came off far better than the stuffy, irascible Englishman. — Charles Mcgrath, The New Yorker, "Rudyard Kipling in America," 1 July 2019 Jackson’s version of John Shaft was already distinct from Roundtree’s — more irascible, less smooth, more Jackson-y. — Jesse Hassenger, The Verge, "Men in Black: International and Shaft show the limits of modern film franchises," 21 June 2019 Opinionated, irascible Get Offa My Lawn Guy never needed a microphone. — Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Doc: Our fathers are always with us, a part of who we are," 15 June 2019 As his literary stature grew, so did his reputation as a difficult, irascible personality. — Sylvia Hui, Fox News, "Nobel Prize-winning author V.S. Naipaul dies at 85," 11 Aug. 2018 Upstairs, in a quiet corner, Rupert Murdoch gave Ed Koch a ribbing, the irascible mayor — into his third term — cowed by a tabloid king still on his way up. — Jay Cheshes, Town & Country, "Caviar and Cocaine," 6 Feb. 2013 So the brilliant, grumpy and irascible priest of old times is gone, and — with him — goes a priceless oral history of the blues and thousands of songs. — George Varga, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Lou Curtiss, a key mentor to Tom Waits, Jack Tempchin and other musicians, has died at 79," 10 July 2018 The Lorax is the noble but irascible environmental guardian who lives in the enchanted land of the fluffy Truffula tree. — James Hebert, sandiegouniontribune.com, "At Old Globe, 'The Lorax' brings Dr. Seuss' environmental saga to vivid life," 8 July 2018 As Plummer humanizes his character, moving him from towering narcissist to irascible charmer, the story shoves Farmiga in the other direction. — Gary Thompson, Philly.com, "'Boundaries' reduces Farmiga to Plummer's helper.," 4 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'irascible.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.