This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
cantankerous
[ kan-tang-ker-uhs ]
/ kĂŠnËtĂŠĆ kÉr És /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
disagreeable to deal with; contentious; peevish: a cantankerous, argumentative man.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I canât figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Origin of cantankerous
First recorded in 1765â75; origin uncertain; earlier contankerous, perhaps derivation of Middle English contack, conteck âquarrel, contention,â from Anglo-French contek, formed on the models of contentious, rancorous
OTHER WORDS FROM cantankerous
can·tan·ker·ous·ly, adverbcan·tan·ker·ous·ness, nounWords nearby cantankerous
Cantabrigian, Cantal, cantala, cantalever, cantaloupe, cantankerous, cantar, cantata, cantatrice, can't but, can't complain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use cantankerous in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for cantankerous
cantankerous
/ (kĂŠnËtĂŠĆkÉrÉs) /
adjective
quarrelsome; irascible
Derived forms of cantankerous
cantankerously, adverbcantankerousness, nounWord Origin for cantankerous
C18: perhaps from C14 (obsolete) conteckour a contentious person, from conteck strife, from Anglo-French contek, of obscure origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012