[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/cranky/)

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# cranky

adjective (cranky, crankier, crankiest) — informal

«cranky» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (informal, US/Canada/Australia) Bad-tempered or easily annoyed, often because you are tired or hungry. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cranky/#m1)
2. (informal, UK) Strange or odd (cranky ideas). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cranky/#m2)
3. (of a machine) Not working well; unreliable. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cranky/#m3)

### In the lessons

In everyday talk about children and families: «He's cranky because he missed his nap». In stories: a cranky old neighbour. UK usage leans to «odd»; North American to «grumpy». Similar: grumpy, grouchy, crabby, ratty (UK).

### Examples

- The baby gets cranky when she's tired. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cranky/#x1)
- Don't be cranky; we'll eat soon. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cranky/#x2)
- Grandad is a bit cranky in the mornings. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cranky/#x3)
- The cranky old car wouldn't start. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cranky/#x4)
- I'm always cranky when I'm hungry. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cranky/#x5)
- The cranky shopkeeper shouted at the kids. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cranky/#x6)

### Note

Informal. Adjective with -y: crankier, crankiest. Noun: crank (an odd person with strange ideas; or a handle you turn).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «cranky» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cranky/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«cranky» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/cranky.html) on Mova free.