irritable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "irritable" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an adjective meaning "easily annoyed or irritated". Example sentence: I have been feeling extra irritable lately, probably due to the stress from work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hugh Quarshie's long-suffering character has seen and suffered so much since he joined the soap in 2001 that he feels like the personification of the best of the NHS: wearily irritable, still just about hanging on despite 25 government-initiated reorganizations (I exaggerate, but not much), still good at his job and still trying to be selfless - against the odds.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I'm hot, irritable, tired and probably hungry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Things started to happen that couldn't be easily explained – absences from high-profile appearances, erratic behaviour – and friends grew uncharacteristically irritable when pressed about that, as if searching for ways to protect him without lying.

The Guardian - Opinion

Infrequent heavy drinking sessions at Christmas and New Year are unlikely to have a serious health effect, but you may experience short-term symptoms such as feeling anxious or irritable when you stop.

The Guardian

These equivocal formulations drip in irony when you read the emphatic demands that follow and the hundreds of detailed words about decaying buildings, the power of homeopathy to tackle irritable bowel syndrome or the power of organic vegetables to help hospital patients get better.

The Guardian

Those who work in highly competitive industries, known for a "work hard, play hard" culture that revolves significantly around alcohol, are often found to have a "type A" behaviour pattern defined by aggressive, irritable personality traits and an overwhelming drive to try and achieve more and more targets in increasingly smaller amounts of time.

The Guardian - Money

"I was only 27 when I was told I had cancer after suffering six months of pain which I put down to irritable bowel syndrome or bad kebabs," Luke Bennett, 33, told the charity.

The Guardian

Nowadays their customers are more likely to be tired and irritable travellers, picking up the keys at an airport hire desk, lacking the energy to quibble with all those optional extras being loaded on to the bill.

The Economist

The practice has long been an open secret, but in the present irritable political climate, with speculation about an early election, it has now become a scandal.

The Economist

Naive questions from well-meaning newcomers attract irritable responses.

The Economist

De Tocqueville again: "There is nothing more annoying...than this irritable patriotism of the Americans".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "irritable", provide context or reasons for their state to offer a more complete picture.

Common error

Avoid using "irritable" when a stronger term like "furious" or "enraged" is more appropriate, as "irritable" suggests a milder form of annoyance.

Linguistic Context

The word "irritable" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of being easily annoyed or provoked. Ludwig AI confirms this grammatical function and provides numerous examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

24%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "irritable" is a common and versatile adjective used to describe a state of being easily annoyed or provoked. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an adjective and is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news media and encyclopedic articles. The analysis reveals that while grammatically straightforward, understanding the intensity and context is crucial for its effective use. Related terms include "easily annoyed", "short-tempered", and "grumpy", each offering a slightly different shade of meaning. To ensure precision, it is vital to assess whether "irritable" accurately captures the intended degree of annoyance or whether a stronger term is more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easily annoyed

Focuses on the ease with which someone becomes annoyed.

easily provoked

Highlights the tendency to be easily provoked or agitated.

short-tempered

Emphasizes a quickness to anger.

testy

Implies impatience and a readiness to argue.

grumpy

Suggests a bad-tempered or sulky mood.

peevish

Indicates a fretful and complaining disposition.

cross

A more general term for being in a bad mood.

fractious

Describes someone who is unruly or easily upset.

cantankerous

Suggests an ill-tempered and argumentative nature.

choleric

Indicates a tendency to be easily angered or bad-tempered.

FAQs

How can I use "irritable" in a sentence?

You can use "irritable" to describe someone's mood or disposition, such as, "He was particularly irritable after the long flight" or "The medication made her feel irritable and restless."

What words have a similar meaning to "irritable"?

Alternatives to "irritable" include "easily annoyed", "short-tempered", or "grumpy" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone is "being irritable"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Saying someone is "being irritable" describes their current behavior or demeanor. For example, "He's being irritable today because he didn't get enough sleep."

What's the difference between "irritable" and "irritated"?

"Irritable" describes a person's general disposition or tendency to become easily annoyed, while "irritated" describes a temporary state of being annoyed or bothered. For example, someone might be generally "irritable", but only feel "irritated" by a specific noise.