grump

American  

[gruhmp] / grʌmp /

noun

• grumps
  plural

1. a person given to constant complaining.

2. Informal. the grumps, a depressed or sulky mood.

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verb (used without object)

1. to complain or sulk.

grump British  

/ ɡrʌmp /

noun

1. a surly or bad-tempered person

2. (plural) a sulky or morose mood (esp in the phrase have the grumps )

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verb

1. (intr) to complain or grumble

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• grumps
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of grump

First recorded in 1835–45; probably back formation from grumpy

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Explanation

A grouchy, complaining person is a grump. If you mope around all week during a rainy vacation with your family, don't be surprised if they call you a grump. Before grump came to mean a cranky person, the phrase the grumps was used for "a fit of ill-humor." The word may stem from a now-obsolete adjective, grum, "morose or surly." If your neighbor is a grump, he won't be amused by the massive water balloon fight in your yard — but it still may be worth baking him some cookies as an apology for scaring his little dog.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

grump grumps

In fact, it’s Grant’s sense of humor that led “Wonka” director Paul King to cast him for the role in the film: His Oompa Loompa is also a grump.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 6, 2023

At first, the grump does his best to scare off the invader.

From New York Times ● Sep. 21, 2023

It's the kind of Charles we've seen before, the inflexible grump of Prince Harry's "Spare," the icy antagonist of the Diana arc of "The Crown."

From Salon ● May 5, 2023

One is a cynical grump whose cold-hearted plot to steal Christmas dampens the festive mood.

From BBC ● Dec. 12, 2022

“You’re such a grump in the morning,” she said, shaking her head.

From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio

What a blow to grumps who chuckle when a New York team endures a miserable season, of which plenty remain, thanks to those Mets, Giants, Rangers and, of course, the pratfalling Jets.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 8, 2026

I have grown into one of those grumps who is wary of how easily we throw around honorifics like “legendary” and “GOAT.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 10, 2025

But the spat punctures any suggestion that the Budget will end grumps and strops inside the party.

From BBC ● Nov. 29, 2025

The grumps and the agreeable dogs performed the same when they had to figure out the problem by themselves, or if their owners showed them the way to get the treat.

From Seattle Times ● May 7, 2021

Mrs. March was very busy trying to finish a letter, which must go at once, and Hannah had the grumps, for being up late didn’t suit her.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

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