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Definition of crabbedly

crabbedly

/ˈkræb.ɪd.li/
crab · bed · ly
Adjective:crabbed
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crabbedly Lexical Profile

crabbedly Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

In abad-tempered, irritable, or sour manner.

Example

"The elderly shopkeeper answered the tourists' questions crabbedly before retreating behind the counter."

2

In a cramped, crooked, or nearly illegible manner (especially of handwriting); or in an intricate, obscure, and difficult style.

Example

"The marginal notes were written so crabbedly that the archivist needed a magnifying glass to decipher them."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

crab
crabapple
crabbed
crabbedly
crabber
crabbily
crabbiness

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed from the adjective 'crabbed' plus the adverbial suffix '-ly'. The base word derives from Middle English 'crabbed', referring both to the crooked, sideways gait of a crab and the sour, astringent taste of a wild crabapple.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Crabbedly. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/crabbedly
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