What does irascible mean?
Irascible means easily angered, short-tempered, or prone to sudden displays of anger. It is especially useful when describing a person whose ordinary manner includes impatience, irritability, or explosive reactions to relatively minor events. The word is more formal than the everyday expression “short-tempered” and can imply a persistent trait rather than a single moment of irritation. In “an irascible nature,” it describes an enduring tendency; in “an irascible response,” it characterizes a specific angry reaction. Irascible is not synonymous with every use of “irritable”: it tends to emphasize anger and temper more strongly, whereas “irritable” can also refer to a situation that causes annoyance. The word is recognized in standard British and American English and is especially common in formal descriptions of temperament and behavior.
adjectiveCharacterized by sudden or excessive anger; easily provoked and often hot-tempered.
- Easily angered; hot-tempered or characterized by sudden, excessive anger.
"His irascible response made the discussion difficult."
"The irascible manager rejected the proposal without explanation."
"Years of stress had made him increasingly irascible."
Irascible comes from a Latin word meaning “capable of anger,” capturing the idea thatquick temper can be part of someone's nature.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does irascible come from?
Irascible comes from Latin irascibilis, meaning “capable of anger” or “irascible,” derived from ira, meaning anger or wrath. It entered English through French and was used in English from the early 16th century. The related English words irate and ire preserve the same Latin root, while irascibility and irascibly are later grammatical derivatives.
Related word forms
How irascible is actually used
This is a formal word. It is often used to describe a person's temperament, manager, or behavior and carries a strongly negative connotation.
Easily confused with irascible
Irascible describes a person who is easily angered or hot-tempered, while irritable can describe either a person or a situation characterized by impatience and irritation.