hangry

American  

[hang-gree] / ˈhæŋ gri /

adjective

Slang.

hangrier, hangriest

1. feeling irritable or irrationally angry as a result of being hungry.

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hangry British  

/ ˈhæŋgrɪ /

adjective

1. humorous irritable as a result of feeling hungry

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Etymology

Origin of hangry

First recorded in 1915–20; h(ungry) ( def. ) + angry ( def. )

Explanation

When you notice you're in a grumpy mood and can't figure out why until your stomach begins to growl in hunger, it turns out that you're just hangry—or upset because you're hungry. Hangry is a playful term that combines the words "hungry" and "angry." It describes the grumpiness or irritability you feel when you need food right away. This feeling happens because your blood sugar drops, making you cranky and impatient. For example, you might become hangry if you miss lunch and have to wait too long for dinner. The word captures that mix of hunger and frustration perfectly, reminding us all to keep some snacks handy to avoid a hangry mood!

Example Sentences

That means putting Cheerios in front of the hangry 4- and 6-year-olds immediately.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 19, 2026

Mahaffy, who starred in the exuberant revival of “A Man of No Importance” at A Noise Within last season, is more insistently peckish — hungry rather than hangry.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2025

On the flip side, feeling "hangry" – the phenomenon where hunger manifests in the form of anger or irritability – illustrates how what we eat, or don't eat, can also provoke negative emotions.

From Salon • Aug. 20, 2024

Alhadeff says calming hanger may have to do with our gut sense, as hangry neurons are just one of numerous connections between the gut and the brain.

From Washington Post • Dec. 13, 2022

“I’ve seen you hangry, and it’s not pretty, no offense.”

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas