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

Cold exposure is particularly helpful for those who have irritable skin through the constriction of blood vessels, alleviating swelling and flushes. —Lucy Notarantonio, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025

The elderly single mom, played with an irritable, bone-deep bitterness by Irish actor Fiona Shaw, has spent the past few years paralyzed by an illness no one can diagnose. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025

This misalignment impairs your sleep and concentration, and can leave you feeling irritable. —Mackenzie Gamble, The Conversation, 10 Feb. 2025

Here’s one way to take your mind off a certain election that seems to have everyone tense and irritable these days — consider that Tahoe ski season is almost here. —Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 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