Dictionary biliousBad-tempered

adjective

bilious

BIL-ee-us/ˈbɪliəs/

Irritable or bad-tempered.

The bilious man answers a friendly wave with an angry gesture.

A scowling seated man pushes away a friendly greeting with his palm.

Etymology

biliosusLatinpertaining to bile

Because bile was linked with peevishness, “bilious” moved from bile-related to ill-tempered and unpleasant.

More examples

His bilious complaints spoiled the conversation.
She wrote a bilious review of the concert.

Forms

bilious

Similar words

irritable: Emphasizes being easily annoyed.
sour: Suggests an unpleasantly resentful mood.