Word Adjective
cranky
adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈkɹæŋki/ UK /kɹˈæŋki/ cranky
Definition
adj.easily annoyed or in a bad mood. You might feel this way when you are tired or hungry.
adj.irritable or easily vexed; prone to ill-tempered behavior. Often used to describe children or adults who are tired or physically uncomfortable.
Examples
“The baby gets very cranky when he misses his nap.”
“I am always a bit cranky in the morning before I have my first cup of coffee.”
“The long flight and lack of sleep left the entire tour group feeling cranky and impatient with the local guides.”
Usage
Typically used predicatively after linking verbs like 'feel', 'get', or 'become'.
Etymology
From crank + -y. Compare Middle Low German krankich (“sickly, unwell”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated