sorehead

American  

[sawr-hed, sohr-] / ˈsɔrˌhɛd, ˈsoʊr- /

noun

Informal.

1. a disgruntled or vindictive person, especially an unsportsmanlike loser.

   Don't be such a sorehead, they won fair and square.

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sorehead British  

/ ˈsɔːˌhɛd /

noun

1. informal a peevish or disgruntled person

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Other Word Forms

• soreheadedly adverb
• soreheadedness noun

Etymology

Origin of sorehead

1840–50; compare Scots sorehead a headache

Example Sentences

Other writers and players called him a "loudmouth," a "sorehead" and worse.

From Salon

“It’s a lot better now that those old soreheads who were mad at each other have died off,” Jones, the county judge, said.

From Washington Times

If you are a sorehead because you lost, you shouldn't play.

From New York Times

“I am a mean hungry sorehead,” he writes.

From New York Times

Twenty is twenty, Jack, and the boss is a sorehead to-day anyhow.

From Project Gutenberg