cantankerous

UK: /kænˈtæŋkərəs/ US: /kænˈtæŋkərəs/ ,(kan tang′kər əs)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

can•tan•ker•ous /kænˈtæŋkərəs/   adj. 

1. bad-tempered;
   quarrelsome;
   grouchy:
   The coach is especially cantankerous today.

can•tan•ker•ous•ly, adv. 
can•tan•ker•ous•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

can•tan•ker•ous  (kan tang′kər əs), adj. 

1. disagreeable to deal with;
   contentious;
   peevish:
   a cantankerous, argumentative man.

• perh. variant of earlier *contenkerous, reflecting contentious, rancorous 1765–75

can•tan′ker•ous•ly, adv. 
can•tan′ker•ous•ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

cantankerous / kænˈtæŋkərəs/ adjective

1. quarrelsome; irascible

Etymology: 18th Century: perhaps from C14 (obsolete) conteckour a contentious person, from conteck strife, from Anglo-French contek, of obscure origin

canˈtankerously adverb

canˈtankerousness noun