Synonyms

crabby

American

[krab-ee] / ˈkræb i /

adjective

crabbier, crabbiest

Informal. grouchy; ill-natured; irritable; peevish.

crabby British

/ ˈkræbɪ /

adjective

bad-tempered

"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

Other Word Forms

crabbily adverb
crabbiness noun

Etymology

Origin of crabby

First recorded in 1540–50; crab ³ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

By now Lord Fredrick was crabby and tired, and he had nearly given up on ever finding someone suitable.

From Literature

He added passengers jokingly pointed out the "shellfish" crab had its feet on the seat, while others called out the crabby commuter for fare dodging.

From BBC

John Ashton, the veteran actor who was best known for portraying crabby Detective John Taggart in the “Beverly Hills Cop” franchise, has died.

From Los Angeles Times

“He seemed a little crabby when I was a kid,” Arnold remembered of his grandfather.

From Salon

The idea of giving up steak, Manhattans or Instagram would make me crabby.

From Seattle Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023