Word
cranky
US/ˈkɹæŋki/
UK/kɹˈæŋki/
Informal
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.”
Examples
simple
“The baby gets very cranky when he misses his nap.”
contextual
“I am always a bit cranky in the morning before I have my first cup of coffee.”
complex
“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.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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