crabby

Everyday

(informal) Crabby means grumpy and easily annoyed, in a bad mood. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday talk and stories, a crabby person snaps at others, often because they are tired, hungry or unwell («crabby» after a long trip). It is a mild, friendly-sounding word, used a lot in the USA and Canada; in the UK people also say «grumpy», «ratty» or «cranky». Phrases: «feeling crabby», «a crabby old man».

Examples

• The baby gets crabby when she is tired. tree →
• Dad is always crabby before his morning coffee. tree →
• Don't be so crabby — it's only a game! tree →
• I was crabby because I hadn't had lunch. tree →
• The crabby neighbour shouted at us to keep the ball out of his garden. tree →
• After the long car ride, everyone was hot and crabby. tree →

Note

Comparative crabbier, superlative crabbiest. It is not about crabs, though it comes from the idea of a crab's pinching, bad-tempered way. Similar: grumpy, cranky, grouchy, ratty (UK).