galling
Americanadjective
adjective
-
irritating, exasperating, or bitterly humiliating
-
obsolete rubbing painfully; chafing
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of galling
Explanation
Something that's galling is frustrating or exasperating. A galling argument with your parents leaves you irritated and indignant. Galling things make you angry. It would be galling to lose your job because of someone else's mistake, and it's galling to see some members of society being treated unfairly and feeling helpless to do anything about it. An article with a galling viewpoint makes you fume. Galling comes from the verb gall, which means "annoy," but originally was "chafe or rub until sore."
Vocabulary lists containing galling
Tuck Everlasting
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Unbroken
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
A Separate Peace
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
"Galling" is how one former senior Manchester United executive - who was at Old Trafford during that period - described the Chelsea situation to BBC Sport.
From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026
Galling as the revelations are of traders trying to manipulate rates for personal gain, the actual harm done would probably have paled in comparison with the subsequent misconduct of the banks.
From Economist • Jul. 5, 2012
Says Galling: "There's a little thing here called inflation."
From Time Magazine Archive
Rome Reporters Walter Galling and Leonora Dodsworth find that the strong dollar hasn't changed their lives.
From Time Magazine Archive
Galling tears, hot, bitter, smarting tears, rolled from his eyes.
From A Son of Hagar A Romance of Our Time by Caine, Hall, Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
