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crotchetiness

crotchetiness

9.9
A tendency to be odd, fussy, or easily annoyed
  • noun
  • /ˈkrɒtʃɪtɪnəs/
  • UK
translation icon : excentricidad
  • The old man's crotchetiness was well-known in the neighborhood.

Examples

  • His crotchetiness made it difficult for others to approach him during meetings.

  • Her constant complaints about the weather reflected her general crotchetiness.

  • His crotchetiness often made conversations at the dinner table unpredictable.

  • She accepted her grandfather’s crotchetiness as just another part of his charm.

  • The old professor’s crotchetiness was well known among his students.

  • His crotchetiness made it difficult for others to work with him.

  • Despite his crotchetiness, he had moments of warmth that surprised his friends.

Synonyms

irritability
vscrotchetiness
8 4.2

Being easily annoyed or quick to become angry

is broader, adding fussiness and odd temperament features
petulance
vscrotchetiness
5 9.0

Being easily annoyed and acting childish

is less childlike and also includes odd fussy behaviour
crankiness
vscrotchetiness
3 6.0

Being easily annoyed and acting in odd, fussy ways

is more about being odd and fussy rather than only irritable
grumpiness
vscrotchetiness
3 4.1

A feeling of being easily annoyed

includes fussiness and oddness, not just a sour mood
peevishness
vscrotchetiness
1 7.3

A tendency to become easily annoyed and impatient

is more than irritation, including eccentric or fussy manners
fussiness
vscrotchetiness
1 5.7

A state of being easily upset or hard to please

is similar but adds an odd or eccentric tone
snappishness
vscrotchetiness
1 8.5

A habit of giving short, angry answers when annoyed

is not only sharp in words but also odd and fussy
grouchiness
vscrotchetiness
1 4.0

A state of being easily annoyed and in a bad mood

adds a fussy or eccentric temperament beyond mere bad mood
crabbiness
vscrotchetiness
1 5.5

A mood of being easily annoyed and bad-tempered

also involves eccentric or fussy temperament beyond complaining
pettishness
vscrotchetiness
9.0

Being easily annoyed and angry about small things in a childish way

is wider, covering odd habits and general fussiness too

Antonyms

9 2.7

A state without strong feelings or worry in your mind

How Irritable

irascibility
  • Formal
1 9.3
irritability
8 4.2
crotchetiness
  • UK
9.9
calmness
9 2.7

Surface Forms

crotchetiness singular

Morphology

crotchetiness = crotchety (semi-transparent) = crotchet + y + ness

The formation from the adjective 'crotchety' to a noun using the productive suffix '-ness' is regular and predictable for learners.

Etymology

Crotchetiness comes from the old word crotchet, which meant a 'little hook'. A helpful image is a small hook that 'catches' odd ideas or habits, so crotchetiness means having strange, fussy, or easily annoyed ways.