Irascible
Word of the Day
What is Irascible?
adjective
Having or showing a tendency to be easily angered.
Pronunciation
Why This Word?
Chosen to reflect the volatility of human emotions.
Examples of Use
Here's how this word appears in everyday language:
The irascible chef threw a pan across the kitchen.
His irascible nature made him difficult to work with.
An irascible old man yelled at the children.
Word Origins
Latin irascibilis “easily provoked to anger”
From irasci “to grow angry.”
First appearance in English: late Middle English
Word Family
Related forms of this word:
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Noun:
His irascibility ruined the meeting.
-
Adjective:
She was irritable after little sleep.
-
Adjective:
An irate customer demanded a refund.
Around the World
How this word appears in other languages:
- Spanish: irascible
- French: irascible
- German: jähzornig
- Italian: irascibile
- Portuguese: irascível
If you Already Know This Word
If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:
Irritable
Irritable is momentary; irascible is ingrained.
Irate
Irate is temporary anger; irascible is temperament.
Choleric
Old word for hot-tempered; near synonym.
Fun Facts
- Irascible shares a root with “ire” and “irate.”
- Though negative, it can describe passionate temperaments.
Cultural Usage
- Dickens wrote many irascible old characters.
- Irascibility is studied as a personality trait.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes confused with “irritable”; irascible suggests deeper temperament.
Micro Story
The irascible coach shouted at the referee.