What it means
Grouchy means sulky and bad-tempered, grumbling and complaining at the smallest thing with a face like thunder. The grouch sinks into a permanent bad mood, muttering about everything and snapping at anyone who comes near. It is the grumpy crankiness of someone who got out of bed on the wrong side and has decided the whole day is against them.
Usage examples
"Do not mind grandad, he just gets grouchy when his programme is interrupted."
"He was so grouchy all morning that we just left him alone with his coffee."
"He's proper grouchy before his morning coffee, best not to ask him anything."
"Sorry I was grouchy on the phone earlier, I'd had about three hours of sleep."
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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