irritable

adjective

ir·​ri·​ta·​ble ˈir-ə-tə-bəl 

: capable of being irritated: such as

a

: easily exasperated or excited

gets irritable when he tires

b

: responsive to stimuli

irritableness noun

irritably

ˈir-ə-tə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• choleric
• crabby
• cranky
• cross
• crotchety
• fiery
• grouchy
• grumpy
• irascible
• peevish
• perverse
• pettish
• petulant
• prickly
• quick-tempered
• raspy
• ratty
• short-tempered
• snappish
• snappy
• snarky
• snippety
• snippy
• stuffy
• testy
• waspish

Examples of irritable in a Sentence

My father is always irritable after a nap.

I came home from work feeling tired and irritable.

Recent Examples on the Web

Also known as irritable hip, the condition is due to inflammation of the hip joint lining. —Emily Blackwood, People.com, 26 Oct. 2024

But others may become anxious, irritable or overwhelmed. —Julia Lamont, The Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2024

Also, avoid traveling during the hours that your youngest child is most irritable or sensitive. —Judy Koutsky, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024

The baseball player had missed eight games to be with his family after Max was diagnosed with transient synovitis (also known as irritable hip) and Guillain-Barre syndrome in July. —Marina Watts, Peoplemag, 6 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing irritable

• irritable bowel syndrome

Kids Definition

irritable

adjective

ir·​ri·​ta·​ble ˈir-ət-ə-bəl 

: capable of being irritated

especially : easily irritated

gets irritable when he's tired

irritableness noun

irritably

-blē 

adverb

Medical Definition

irritable

adjective

ir·​ri·​ta·​ble ˈir-ət-ə-bəl 

: characterized by irritability: as

a

: easily exasperated or excited

b

: responsive to stimuli