What does petulant mean?
Petulant describes someone who is peevish, irritable, and inclined to sulk, often in a way that seems childish or unnecessarily sensitive. The word is especially common for children, but it can also characterize an adult’s demanding tone, curt replies, or complaints. Its force lies in the implication that the reaction is excessive or immature rather than merely a brief moment of impatience. Petulant is standard in British and American English and can sound literary in formal writing, though it remains readily understood. It comes through French from Latin petulans, an old word associated with insolence as well as peevishness, which helps explain the modern sense’s slight censure of bad manners. Petulant is a precise choice when the central issue is an irascible, sulky manner: someone is not simply dissatisfied but openly resentful and difficult to deal with. The related noun petulance names the quality itself.
adjectivePeevish, irritable, and inclined to sulk, especially in a way that seems childish, sulky, or unreasonable.
- Peevish, irritable, and sulky, especially in a childlike or unreasonable way.
- Archaic: insolent, rude, or presumptuous.
"The child became petulant when the rain cancelled the picnic."
"The child became petulant when the rain cancelled the picnic."
"Her petulant reply drew a swift correction from the editor."
Petulant’s Latin ancestor could mean “peevish” or “insolent,” and the modern word still carries a hint of childish complaint.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does petulant come from?
English borrowed the word from French pétulant, which was derived from Latin petulans, “peevish” or “insolent.” The Latin term is usually connected with petulari, “to be insolent,” and ultimately with petere, “to seek, aim at, or attack.” From that same Latin root come English words such as petition, appetite, and impetus.
Related word forms
How petulant is actually used
The word is standard but somewhat literary. It can describe children and adults, although it usually implies that the person’s bad mood or complaining manner is immature or excessive.