Words / C2

i-RAS-uh-bl/ɪˈræsəbl/

Irascible means easily made angry — a temper as a trait, not one bad afternoon. Bad-tempered is everyday; irritable is milder and often temporary (tired, hungry). Irascibility is a rarer noun, and character sketches and biographies use it. In speech, he has a short fuse is the natural line — do not use it for righteous, considered anger.

Meaning

Easily made angry (formal).

Examples

• “An irascible reply will not help in an interview.”
• “An irascible reply to a fair question damaged the interview.”
• “The professor was irascible before coffee and generous after it.”

Good to know

Quick to anger as a trait. Everyday: bad-tempered / short fuse. Milder/temporary: irritable.

Near in meaning

bad-tempered

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