# petulant

/ˈpɛtʃəɫənt/ (US) · /pˈɛtjʊlənt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/petulant
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

behaving in a bad-tempered and childish way because you are unhappy or frustrated. You use this to describe someone who is acting like a spoiled child.

For teachers: behaving in a bad-tempered, childish, or sullen manner. Often describes a person who is easily annoyed or who throws a tantrum over minor inconveniences.

## Examples

- The petulant child refused to share his toys with his sister.
- After waiting for an hour in the rain, the petulant customer finally lost his temper with the receptionist.
- The petulant response from the committee members suggested that their frustration with the proposed budget cuts had already reached a boiling point, making further negotiation impossible.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.