Definition

The condition of being slightly angry or annoyed.

Example

Her crossness was evident when she found out about the mistake.

Conversation

I noticed you seemed a bit off today; are you feeling any crossness?

Yeah, I was just frustrated with my work assignments.

That makes sense; sometimes it's hard to stay calm when things pile up.

Exactly! I need to find a way to manage that crossness better.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Crossness → It is formed from "cross" (from Old English "cros", meaning a structure consisting of two intersecting lines) and "-ness" (meaning the state or quality of). The word "crossness" refers to the state of being cross or irritable.

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'cross' as representing a structure that intersects, and '-ness' indicating a state. This helps you remember that 'crossness' means the state of being irritable or angry.

Visually Confused Words