Definition

Someone who is difficult to deal with, often irritable or bad-tempered.

Example

My cantankerous neighbor always complains about the noise.

Conversation

Have you met our new neighbor yet?

Not yet, but I heard he can be quite cantankerous.

Yeah, I've heard he has a reputation for being difficult.

I hope he’s not too bad — it would be nice to have a friendly neighbor.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Cantankerous originates from the early 19th century, possibly derived from the dialectal term 'cantanker' (meaning to quarrel or be ill-tempered) and the suffix '-ous' (meaning full of). The word describes someone who is full of quarrelsome or irritable behavior.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who is 'full of quarrels' — that's what cantankerous means, describing a person who is often irritable or difficult.

Visually Confused Words