crabby

[krab-ee]

adjective

crabbier, crabbiest 

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

crabby

/ ˈkræbɪ /

adjective

1. bad-tempered

Other Word Forms

• crabbily adverb
• crabbiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of crabby¹

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

Example Sentences

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.

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Her dissatisfaction with her crabby old husband drives her into the same state of amorous turmoil that Vanya and Sonya find themselves in.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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

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

Read more on Salon

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

Read more on Seattle Times