grouch

American  

[grouch] / graʊtʃ /

verb (used without object)

1. to be sulky or morose; show discontent; complain, especially in an irritable way.

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noun

1. a sulky, complaining, or morose person.

   Synonyms:

   killjoy, crab, spoilsport, grumbler

2. a sulky, irritable, or morose mood.

grouch British  

/ ɡraʊtʃ /

verb

1. to complain; grumble

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noun

1. a complaint, esp a persistent one

2. a person who is always grumbling

Etymology

Origin of grouch

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; variant of obsolete grutch, from Middle English grucchen, gruchen “to murmur, grumble,” from Old French grocier, grouchier “to grumble”; grudge

Explanation

A grouch is a cranky person who complains a lot. You could describe your grumpy old Grandpa as a grouch. Use the noun grouch when you're talking about someone who's habitually in a terrible mood. If your usual bus driver is a grouch, he's probably always yelling at his passengers. You can also use grouch as a verb, to describe what a grouch does: grumble and gripe. The word grouch was originally 1890s United States college slang that might have come from grutch, "to murmur or complain."

Example Sentences

But now that he’s gone, the hoodie-wearing coach even poked fun at his reputation as a grouch.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 4, 2024

In Giamatti’s hands, the dialogue of an erudite grouch sings.

From Washington Times • Dec. 4, 2023

Discovery, is run by numbers grouch David Zaslav, whose primary interest in journalism seems to be his desire to stop its practitioners from saying mean things about him.

From Slate • Aug. 31, 2023

Certainly, an uncharismatic grouch who pronounces his own name differently every other day is highly unlikely to do it.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2023

The holders of the grouch bags become grouchy indeed.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen