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Definition of curmudgeonly

curmudgeonly

/kərˈmʌdʒ.ən.li/
cur · mud · geon · ly
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curmudgeonly Lexical Profile

curmudgeonly Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Bad-tempered, irritable, and often stubbornly uncooperative, especially in a way typical of a grumpy older person.

Example

"Despite his curmudgeonly demeanor at faculty meetings, the retired professor was deeply devoted to mentoring his students."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for curmudgeonly
Antonyms
View all antonyms for curmudgeonly

Word Nuance & Usage

Although ending in '-ly', 'curmudgeonly' is almost exclusively used as an adjective rather than an adverb, and typically carries an affectionate or humorous undertone for a grumpy older person rather than severe hostility.

• Nearby Words

curling
curly
curly-tailed lizard
curmudgeonly
currant
currawong
currency

Cite this Entry

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