# cantankerous

> English word · Adjective · IPA /kænˈtæŋkəɹəs/ · frequency rank #63,492

## Definitions
1. Given to or marked by an ill-tempered, quarrelsome nature; ill-tempered, cranky, crabby.

## Etymology
Perhaps derived from earlier contenkerous, from contentious + rancorous.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/cantankerous