adjective
irritable
IR-ih-tuh-bul/ˈɪrɪtəbl/
Readily reacting unpleasantly to stimulation.
The irritable man reacts sharply to his colleague's quiet pen tapping.
Etymology
The pieces express being readily provoked or excited. The Latin adjective meant “easily excited”; the selected English sense focuses that susceptibility on annoyance or anger.
In context
the next time you feel yourself becoming irritable use your will and be patient this is a very good exercise in self-control
More examples
- Lack of sleep makes him more irritable than usual.
- The irritable customer snaps at the cashier over a small delay.
- An irritable bladder can cause frequent urges to urinate.
Forms
irritable · more irritable · most irritable
irritability noun — The tendency to become annoyed easily.
irritably adverb — In a way that shows annoyance.