Crabby
adjective
Feeling or appearing grouchy, grumpy, or in a bad mood.
Tom is always so crabby before he has his morning coffee.
Often appears as...
- feel crabby
- crabby mood
adjective
Having the physical characteristics of a crab.
The child drew a picture of a crabby creature with pincers and tough shell.
Often appears as...
- crabby creature
- crabby features
adjective
Infected with crab lice (a type of parasite).
The hostel had an outbreak of crabby residents due to a lack of hygiene.
Often appears as...
- crabby resident
- crabby infection
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Feeling or appearing grouchy, grumpy, or in a bad mood.
Tom is always so crabby before he has his morning coffee.
Often appears as...
- feel crabby
- crabby mood
adjective
Having the physical characteristics of a crab.
The child drew a picture of a crabby creature with pincers and tough shell.
Often appears as...
- crabby creature
- crabby features
adjective
Infected with crab lice (a type of parasite).
The hostel had an outbreak of crabby residents due to a lack of hygiene.
Often appears as...
- crabby resident
- crabby infection
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Mood
Used to describe someone's temporary mood, not their overall personality.
She can be really friendly, just not today—she's feeling crabby.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Serious
Often not a deep feeling - might just be due to a minor annoyance.
Missing his snack made him crabby, but he got over it quickly.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Speech
More commonly used in casual conversation than formal writing.
Sorry for being crabby earlier, didn't get much sleep.
Compare with
cantankerouscrossgrumpyirritablepeevishsulkysurlytesty
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Quote examples
Anushka Sharma
Indian Actress
My friends once told me I remind them of the main character from the American comedy series 'Curb Your Enthusiasm.' I thought they must mean a sunny, affable girl-next-door, but instead I was confronted with Larry David! Crabby, moody, perversely neurotic Larry David. And the thing is, my friends were right.
Quote examples
Julie Foudy
American Athlete
It all comes down to perspective. When I get crabby about something, like the delay that was driving me crazy because I told my kids I'd be home for dinner, I have to remind myself where it fits in the scheme of things. We have to say, 'That's life,' which can sometimes be comforting.
Quote examples
Judith Viorst
American Author
Kids need to encounter kids like themselves - kids who can sometimes be crabby and fresh and rebellious, kids who talk back and disobey, tell fibs and get into trouble, and are nonetheless still likable and redeemable.
Quote examples
Ellie Kemper
American Actress
If you're tired, you shouldn't make yourself exercise. Take a nap instead. It's about getting an appropriate amount of work and rest. I get very crabby if I'm not well-rested.
Quote examples
Esha Gupta
Indian Actress
The moment I wake up, I have to eat. If I don't eat, I feel like my blood pressure is dropping. I get crabby if I have gone more than half an hour without eating.
Quote examples
Caroline Rhea
Canadian Comedian
I remember I was so crabby in my third trimester - I got gestational diabetes because I'd been acting like I was in a one-woman pie-eating contest.
Quote examples
Reshma Saujani
American Lawyer
For me, if I'm away from my son for more than 48 hours, I'm crabby.
Quote examples
Anushka Sharma
Indian Actress
My friends once told me I remind them of the main character from the American comedy series 'Curb Your Enthusiasm.' I thought they must mean a sunny, affable girl-next-door, but instead I was confronted with Larry David! Crabby, moody, perversely neurotic Larry David. And the thing is, my friends were right.
Quote examples
Julie Foudy
American Athlete
It all comes down to perspective. When I get crabby about something, like the delay that was driving me crazy because I told my kids I'd be home for dinner, I have to remind myself where it fits in the scheme of things. We have to say, 'That's life,' which can sometimes be comforting.
Quote examples
Judith Viorst
American Author
Kids need to encounter kids like themselves - kids who can sometimes be crabby and fresh and rebellious, kids who talk back and disobey, tell fibs and get into trouble, and are nonetheless still likable and redeemable.
Quote examples
Ellie Kemper
American Actress
If you're tired, you shouldn't make yourself exercise. Take a nap instead. It's about getting an appropriate amount of work and rest. I get very crabby if I'm not well-rested.
Quote examples
Esha Gupta
Indian Actress
The moment I wake up, I have to eat. If I don't eat, I feel like my blood pressure is dropping. I get crabby if I have gone more than half an hour without eating.
Quote examples
Caroline Rhea
Canadian Comedian
I remember I was so crabby in my third trimester - I got gestational diabetes because I'd been acting like I was in a one-woman pie-eating contest.
Quote examples
Reshma Saujani
American Lawyer
For me, if I'm away from my son for more than 48 hours, I'm crabby.
Example 1 of 7
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