English Reference
adjective

angry

adj.
US /ˈæŋɡɹi/ UK /ˈæŋɡɹi/ an·gry

  1. 01 A1 Beginner

    feeling or showing that you are very upset or annoyed because of something wrong or unfair.

    experiencing or exhibiting strong displeasure, hostility, or resentment. Often takes the prepositions 'with' for people and 'at' or 'about' for situations.

    Simple

    He was angry with his friend for being late to the movie.

    In context

    The customers became increasingly angry as the delay stretched into a second hour without any official explanation from the airline staff.

    Pitfall
    She was angry to her brother. She was angry with her brother.

    Use 'angry with' or 'angry at' when talking about a person, never 'angry to'.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    describing a cut or a part of your body that is red, sore, and painful.

    exhibiting signs of physical inflammation, such as redness, swelling, or soreness.

    Simple

    The cat scratch on her arm looked red and angry the next morning.

    In context

    The surgeon noted that the tissue around the wound appeared angry and infected, requiring an immediate course of intravenous antibiotics.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Literary

    describing a sky or sea that looks dark, grey, and dangerous.

    metaphorical use describing weather or natural elements as dark, stormy, or menacing.

    Simple

    The angry clouds suggested that a heavy storm was coming soon.

    In context

    The small fishing boat struggled against an angry sea, with grey waves crashing violently over the wooden deck.


Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂enǵʰ- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *h₂énǵʰosder. Proto-Germanic *angazaz Old Norse angrbor. Middle English anger Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Germanic *-gaz Proto-West Germanic *-g Old English -iġ Middle English -y Middle English angry English angry From Middle English angry; see anger.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Middle English angry
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Common
Updated