Cranky

Quick meaning: Cranky is an adjective meaning (of a machine, etc.) Not in good working condition; defective, faulty.

Meaning

(of a machine, etc.) Not in good working condition; defective, faulty.

More Meanings

1. Grouchy, grumpy, irritable; easily upset.
2. Not in perfect mental working order; eccentric, peculiar.
3. Synonym of crank (“of a ship: liable to capsize because of poorly stowed cargo or insufficient ballast”).
4. (archaic) Full of spirit; spirited.
5. (obsolete) Weak, unwell.

Example Sentences

a cranky vessel

He got home from a long day at work tired and cranky.

Margaret Cerullo gave a rousing speech, despite the pesky interruptions of a cranky sound system.

Uncle Esau is as cranky as hell, and a peculiar old duck, but I think he'll like a fine upstanding young man as big as you be.

Word Forms

• crankier
• crankiest

Synonyms for cranky

Depending on context, synonyms include shaky, crank, tender, fractious, petulant, tetchy.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include crank, nettlesome, fractious, petulant, irritable, tetchy.

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