grinch

American  

[grinch] / grɪntʃ /

noun

1. a person or thing that spoils or dampens the pleasure of others.

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grinch British  

/ ɡrɪntʃ /

noun

1. informal a person whose lack of enthusiasm or bad temper has a depressing effect on others

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Etymology

Origin of grinch

Coined by Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel) in the children’s book How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1957), the Grinch being the central misanthropic character

Example Sentences

I don’t mean to be a grinch; Christmas and New Year’s are worthy observations, not media distractions, but could the timing be worse?

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2023

There’s also tree decorating, stressful last-minute mall shopping and Wolverine being an absolute grinch but saving the life of a young underground Morlock.

From Washington Post • Dec. 11, 2021

The grinch may be lurking on rooftops and Santa will be waiting at the end of the route to wave goodbye to parade goers on their way home.

From Washington Times • Oct. 25, 2020

Small disclaimer before I give my answer: I am a bit of a grinch.

From Slate • Dec. 12, 2019

Photograph: Gilbert Carrasquillo/ FilmMagic Last night Mr Jack Dee, the grinch of standup comedy, brought the fourth series of his sitcom Lead Balloon to a close.

From The Guardian • Jul. 6, 2011