The term "cantankerous" is most commonly used to describe people who are consistently irritable, argumentative, and difficult to get along with. While it is frequently applied to older individuals, anyone with a persistent bad-temper may be labeled as cantankerous. The term is often used in a humorous context, though it can also be used in a more critical sense. Despite the negative traits associated with it, many cantankerous individuals are also seen as fiercely independent and not afraid to speak their mind.
Word 'cantankerous' in Other Languages
- cantankerous in Assamese অসমীয়া
- cantankerous in Bengali বাংলা
- cantankerous in Bodo बड़ो
- cantankerous in Dogri डोगरी
- cantankerous in English
- cantankerous in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
- cantankerous in Hindi हिन्दी
- cantankerous in Kannada ಕನ್ನಡ
- cantankerous in Kashmiri कॉशुर
- cantankerous in Konkani कोंकणी
- cantankerous in Maithili মৈথিলী
- cantankerous in Malayalam മലയാളം
- cantankerous in Manipuri মৈতৈলোন্
- cantankerous in Marathi मराठी
- cantankerous in Nepali नेपाली
- cantankerous in Oriya ଓଡ଼ିଆ
- cantankerous in Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
- cantankerous in Sanskrit संस्कृतम्
- cantankerous in Santali
- cantankerous in Sindhi سنڌي
- cantankerous in Tamil தமிழ்
- cantankerous in Telugu తెలుగు
- cantankerous in Urdu اُردُو
Cantankerous
Part of Speech
Adjective
Pronunciation
IPA: /kanˈtæŋ.kər.əs/
Phonetic: kan-TANG-ker-uhs
Definitions
- Bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative.
- Characterized by a readiness to quarrel or be difficult.
Usage Examples
- The cantankerous old man yelled at the children for playing too close to his house.
- She had a cantankerous attitude toward anything that didn’t go her way.
Etymology
The word "cantankerous" is thought to be derived from an earlier term "cantanker," which was used in the 18th century to describe an irritable person. The exact origin of "cantanker" is uncertain, but it may be linked to the Dutch word "tangh" meaning "anger" or "fury." The term evolved into its modern form in the 19th century.
Synonyms
- Cranky
- Irritable
- Bad-tempered
- Grumpy
- Surly
Antonyms
- Friendly
- Amiable
- Good-natured
- Agreeable
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | quijoso | kee-hoh-SOH |
| French | irritable | ee-ree-tah-BL |
| German | streitsüchtig | shtrite-ZÜK-tig |
| Hindi | चिड़चिड़ा | chiṛ-chiṛ-ā |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
In American English: /kanˈtæŋ.kər.əs/
In British English: /kanˈtæŋ.kə.rəs/
Historical Usage
The word "cantankerous" has been in use since the early 19th century, describing irritable or quarrelsome individuals, particularly those whose bad temperament made them difficult to deal with.
Cultural Nuances
In many cultures, a cantankerous person is often viewed negatively, but the term can also carry a humorous or endearing connotation, especially when used to describe a stubborn, yet well-meaning elder. In literature and film, cantankerous characters often serve as comic relief or as a foil to more optimistic protagonists.