Meldrew

/ ˈmɛldruː /

noun

1. informal,  a person, esp a middle-aged or elderly man, who is habitually peevish, pessimistic, and cynical; curmudgeon

Other Word Forms

• Meldrewish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Meldrew¹

C20: named after Victor Meldrew , curmudgeonly hero of the 1990s BBC television situation comedy One Foot in the Grave , written by David Renwick

Example Sentences

Mantle played Jean Warboys, the annoying friend of Victor Meldrew's wife, Margaret, in the BBC series.

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But after years of disappointing albums plagued with turgid stadium pop, it was just exciting to hear Eminem sound so fired up again – he makes for a very convincing Victor Meldrew.

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Mental health and lifestyle blogger Vix Meldrew, who counts herself as a big Kardashian fan, says the campaign is simply "a case of ignorance" towards the illness.

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The 80-year-old, best known for his role as Victor Meldrew in the BBC's One Foot In The Grave, had been due to reprise the role in a one-man show.

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Actor Richard Wilson will revive one of the UK's best-loved TV characters, One Foot in the Grave's cantankerous protagonist Victor Meldrew, for a one-man show.

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