First Known Use: 1568
Dictionary
curmudgeon
noun cur·mud·geon \(ˌ)kər-ˈmə-jən\
: a person (especially an old man) who is easily annoyed or angered and who often complains
Full Definition of CURMUDGEON
1
archaic : miser
2
: a crusty, ill-tempered, and usually old man
— cur·mud·geon·li·ness \-lē-nəs\ noun
— cur·mud·geon·ly \-lē\ adjective
See curmudgeon defined for English-language learners
See curmudgeon defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Examples of CURMUDGEON
- At his quirky best, the elder Cooper is a curmudgeon right out of central casting, grumpy old man meets borscht-belt crank. He really does fiddle with his hearing aid and yell, “What? I can't hear you,” only to chide you afterward that there's no need to shout. —Norah Vincent, New York Times Book Review, 19 Feb. 2006
- We were in Edinburgh visiting the in-laws. I was, as usual, being a grumpy old curmudgeon. My people don't travel well. —David Mamet, Jafsie and John Henry Essays, 1999
- Oh, he had the reputation for being a curmudgeon, and he didn't suffer fools gladly, and often he seemed to have no tolerance for people at all. —Robertson Davies, The Lyre of Orpheus, 1989
- [+]more
Origin of CURMUDGEON
origin unknown
Learn More About CURMUDGEON
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: curmudgeonishPrevious Word in the Dictionary: curly wolfAll Words Near: curmudgeon
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up curmudgeon? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).