cantankerous

[kan-tang-ker-uhs]

adjective

1. disagreeable to deal with; contentious; peevish.

   a cantankerous, argumentative man.

cantankerous

/ kænˈtæŋkərəs /

adjective

1. quarrelsome; irascible

Other Word Forms

• cantankerously adverb
• cantankerousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cantankerous¹

First recorded in 1765–75; origin uncertain; earlier contankerous , perhaps derivation of Middle English contack, conteck “quarrel, contention,” from Anglo-French contek, formed on the models of contentious, rancorous

Word History and Origins

Origin of cantankerous¹

C18: perhaps from C14 (obsolete) conteckour a contentious person, from conteck strife, from Anglo-French contek, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

The soccer team’s place in the Premier League standings had the typically cantankerous rock star in a great mood, and that held when talk turned to his ongoing reunion tour.

From Salon

Whether the subject was toys, fish or a cantankerous old man, the Emeryville-based computer animation studio churned out hit after hit.

From Los Angeles Times

Known for his cantankerous, no-nonsense business dealings and his "you're fired/hired" catchphrase, Lord Sugar insists his on-screen persona is how he is in real life.

From BBC

A foreign policy insider told me: "It might come at a price, but it is in our interest for him to be a success, not be cantankerous."

From BBC

With a gimlet eye and a surprisingly girlish laugh, Vera is cantankerous, impatient, intensely private, unapologetically disheveled and utterly glorious.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cranky 
• dour 
• grouchy 
• grumpy 
• irascible 
• prickly 
• quarrelsome 
• testy