Cantankerous Meaning in English
word
kænˈtæŋkɝəs
kan-TANG-ker-uhs
kɑːntˈæŋkəɹəs
kan-TANG-kuh-ruhs
Definition
Someone who is cantankerous is often bad-tempered, argumentative, and difficult to get along with.
Usage & Nuances
'Cantankerous' is formal and describes persistent irritability, more intense than 'grumpy.' Commonly used to describe elderly people, but not exclusively. Pairs with 'old man/lady,' 'neighbor,' or 'customer.' Rarely used for children; avoid in casual speech.
Spanish: cascarrabias - gruñónPortuguese (BR): rabugento - implicantePortuguese (PT): rabugento - rezingãoChinese (Simplified): 脾气坏的 - 爱抱怨的Chinese (Traditional): 脾氣壞的 - 愛抱怨的Hindi: झगड़ालू - चिड़चिड़ाArabic: صعب المِراس - متجهمBengali: কর্কশ - ঝগড়ুটে - সহজে মেজাজ হারায় এমনRussian: сварливый - раздражительный - ворчливыйJapanese: 気難しい - 怒りっぽいVietnamese: cáu kỉnh - gắt gỏng - khó chịuKorean: 심술궂은 - 까다로운Turkish: huysuz - geçimsizUrdu: جھگڑالو - بد مزاجIndonesian: pemarah - mudah marah - suka bertengkar
Example Sentences
My neighbor is very cantankerous.
basic
He became cantankerous after losing his job.
basic
The cantankerous old man shouted at the children.
basic
Don’t mind her, she’s just being cantankerous today.
natural
That cantankerous customer always complains about everything.
natural
Even his friends admitted he could be a bit cantankerous sometimes.
natural