Meaning & Definition of word "Curmudgeon"

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    Curmudgeon

    /kərˈmʌdʒən/

    noun:

    • 1. A bad-tempered or surly person, often an old man.
      • Example: My neighbor is such a curmudgeon; he always complains about the noise.
    • 2. A person who is persistently grumpy or ill-tempered.
      • Example: Don't mind Mr. Thompson; he's just a curmudgeon who doesn't like to be disturbed.
    • 3. An individual who is difficult to please or very cantankerous.
      • Example: The curmudgeon at the coffee shop always shouts at the baristas for making his drink wrong.
    • 4. A person, especially an older person, who is often in a bad mood.
      • Example: Despite his curmudgeon demeanor, he has a soft spot for children.

    Etymology

    The origin of the term curmudgeon is uncertain, but it may have roots in the late 16th-century Scottish word 'curmudgeon' meaning a miser.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    curmudgeonly behavior:

    Acting in a grumpy or irritable manner.

    old curmudgeon:

    Referring to an elderly person who is typically grumpy.

    curmudgeon's corner:

    A place where a curmudgeon typically sits or resides, often in a way that implies isolation or grumpiness.

    Related Words

    grouch:

    A person who habitually complains or is irritable.

    grump:

    A person who is often in a bad mood.

    misanthrope:

    A person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society.

    Slang Meanings of curmudgeon

    Meaning: Grumpy old man

    Example Sentence: Don't become a grumpy old man like him.

    Meaning: Buzzkill

    Example Sentence: He’s such a buzzkill; always complaining like a curmudgeon.