Definition of irascible
: marked by hot temper and easily provoked anger
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
irascible was our Word of the Day on 07/21/2013. Hear the podcast!
Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP
Examples of irascible in a Sentence
an irascible old football coach
He has an irascible disposition.
Recent Examples of irascible from the Web
-
With his irascible grin and fighter-pilot moxie, McCain was elected to the Senate from Arizona six times, but twice thwarted in seeking the presidency.
-
In contrast to the mild, placid Allen, Mahaney is an irascible mountain man who could start an argument in an empty room.
-
Felder plays both von Breuning and Beethoven, easily moving between the academic von Breuning to the sometimes irascible and later irrational Beethoven.
-
The fate of one irascible canine, however, spurs her to vie for a spot on the training team.
-
The latest in a seemingly endless procession of documentaries about shutterbugs, The Incomparable Rose Hartman doesn’t quite make the case for lengthily profiling its irascible and not particularly interesting subject.
-
That irascible, independent streak is part of what made him beloved and led to him receiving the nation’s top prize for humor.
-
The late-night host’s irascible, independent streak inspired fierce loyalty from fans and critics and led to his being honored with the nation’s top prize for humor.
-
There are also solid bit turns by Ron Perlman, barking Yiddish as Wepner's irascible (what else?) trainer, and Michael Rappaport as his estranged brother Donny.
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.
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.
Origin and Etymology of irascible
Middle French, from Late Latin irascibilis, from Latin irasci to become angry, be angry, from ira
IRASCIBLE Defined for English Language Learners
irascible
playDefinition of irascible for English Language Learners
-
: becoming angry very easily : having a bad temper
IRASCIBLE Defined for Kids
irascible
playDefinition of irascible for Students
: easily angered
Learn More about irascible
-
See words that rhyme with irascible Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for irascible Spanish Central: Translation of irascible Nglish: Translation of irascible for Spanish speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up irascible? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!