- Today's Word
Irascible
Irascible
ih-RASS-uh-buhl
Definition
(adjective) Easily provoked to anger; quick-tempered.
Example
His irascible demeanor made every team meeting tense.
Word Origin
Late Middle English: from Old French irascible, from late Latin irascibilis, from irasci ‘grow angry’.
Fun Fact
Irascible doesn’t always describe someone in a full-on rage—it can apply to people who are just easily irritated or constantly on edge. It’s often used in fiction to characterize grumpy older men, volatile bosses, or that one short-fused coach. Think Scrooge, Dr. House, or a chihuahua with something to prove. It’s a word that paints a personality in tension.