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Glite Dictionary
😠 Unhappy or complaining 🚚 Low rumbling sound
grumbly

grumbly

1 4.4
Feeling annoyed and often complaining about things
  • adjective
  • /ˈɡrʌmbli/
: quejoso
  • His grumbly tone made it clear he was not happy with the decision.

Examples

  • The child was feeling quite grumbly after missing lunch.

  • After missing her bus, she felt grumbly for the rest of the morning.

  • The grumbly old man complained about the weather all afternoon.

  • Why is he so grumbly today?

  • After missing breakfast, his stomach was grumbly during the meeting.

  • The children grew grumbly as they waited too long for their lunch.

  • She gave a grumbly sigh when she realized there was no dessert.

Synonyms

grumpy
vsgrumbly
80 1.7

Easily annoyed and in a bad mood

is more about making low unhappy sounds or direct complaints
grouchy
vsgrumbly
20 3.9

Easily annoyed and often in a bad mood

is more about low unhappy sounds or open complaining rather than only mood
whiney
vsgrumbly
  • Offensive
6 4.8

Acting childish and complaining a lot in an annoying way

is lower and sounds more gruff and unhappy instead of high pitched complaint
querulous
vsgrumbly
  • Formal
2 9.4

Often complaining in a whiny, unhappy way

is lower and shows deeper unhappy sounds or feelings rather than high pitch
growly
vsgrumbly
  • Informal
1 7.1

Showing irritation and wanting to be left alone

is more about low unhappy noises and clear complaining feeling
gripey
vsgrumbly
  • Informal
1 8.4

Often complaining in a way that annoys others

is more about low unhappy sounds and feelings rather than repeated complaint

Antonyms

cheerful
99 1.0

Happy in a way you show with a smile or friendly actions

How Grumpy

morose
14 7.9
sullen
26 4.7
grumpy
80 1.7
grumbly
1 4.4
irritable
30 3.7

Surface Forms

grumbly positive

Morphology

grumbly = grumble (transparent) = grumble + y

Standard adjectival formation from 'grumble' indicating a disposition or characteristic of complaining.

Etymology

The word grumbly also comes from grumble, which means 'to complain' in a low voice, so grumbly describes someone who is quietly unhappy or makes low complaining sounds.