curmudgeon

[ker-muhj-uhn]

noun

1. a bad-tempered, difficult, cantankerous person.

   Synonyms: crosspatch, kvetch, sourpuss, bear, crank, grump, grouch

curmudgeon

/ kɜːˈmʌdʒən /

noun

1. a surly or miserly person

Other Word Forms

• curmudgeonly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of curmudgeon¹

First recorded in 1570–80; unexplained; perhaps cur-, representing cur

Word History and Origins

Origin of curmudgeon¹

C16: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

That’s exactly what we’re talking about: Some mishmash misreading of Shakespeare’s “Henry V” mixed with the myth of Winston Churchill, that unregenerate racist curmudgeon turned right-wing godhead, has curdled Elon’s brain.

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Urie is nominated in the category alongside his co-star Harrison Ford, who plays Paul, a curmudgeon therapist with a soft spot who finds love again while navigating Parkinson’s disease.

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Without their love story, we might never have seen Bill as anything other than a belligerent survivalist and eternal curmudgeon Joel knew him to be.

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I’m just a girl charmed by his curmudgeon demeanor and annoyance for everything.

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Partly autobiographical — Cox herself grew up in Mobile — “Clean Slate” imagines a world where a curmudgeon like Harry would have just as hard a time with Desiree’s vegetarian proclivities as with her gender identity.

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