Crotchety
/ˈkrɑːtʃəti/adjective
Irritable or hard to please.
The crotchety old man next door always complains about our music.
Often appears as...
- crotchety old man
- crotchety old woman
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Crotchety usually has a negative tone, suggesting annoyance with someone's behavior or attitude.
When hungry, Jenna becomes crotchety and you should avoid her.
Pro Tip 2/3Aging Stereotype
It's often used to describe older adults, but be careful not to stereotype as not all are crotchety.
Just because he's a senior doesn't mean he's crotchety; he's actually very pleasant.
Pro Tip 3/3Nonhuman Usage
Can describe things that cause annoyance, like a process or a machine, not just people.
This crotchety printer never works when I need it most.
Compare with
cantankerouscrankycrossfussygrouchygrumpyirritabletesty
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