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petulant
[ pech-uh-luhnt ]
/ ˈpɛtʃ ə lənt /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation, especially over some trifling annoyance: a petulant toss of the head.
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Origin of petulant
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin petulant- (stem of petulāns ) “impudent,” akin to petere “to seek, head for”
OTHER WORDS FROM petulant
pet·u·lant·ly, adverbun·pet·u·lant, adjectiveWords nearby petulant
petty larceny, petty officer, petty sessions, petulance, petulancy, petulant, petulantly, petunia, petuntse, Petworth House, peu à peu
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use petulant in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for petulant
petulant
/ (ˈpɛtjʊlənt) /
adjective
irritable, impatient, or sullen in a peevish or capricious way
Derived forms of petulant
petulance or petulancy, nounpetulantly, adverbWord Origin for petulant
C16: via Old French from Latin petulāns bold, from petulāre (unattested) to attack playfully, from petere to assail
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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