sourtempered

Sourtempered is an adjective used to describe a person or their disposition as being habitually bad-tempered, irritable, or peevish. It suggests a persistent tendency to be cross, easily annoyed, and generally unpleasant in mood. The term implies a negative emotional state that is not necessarily tied to a specific incident but rather to a fundamental aspect of an individual's personality or current frame of mind. Someone described as sourtempered might often complain, express dissatisfaction, or react negatively to situations or people. The origin of the term relates to the taste of something sour, which is generally perceived as unpleasant, and metaphorically applies this unpleasantness to a person's temperament. It is a less formal and more descriptive term than, for instance, "irascible" or "choleric," often used in everyday conversation to characterize someone's difficult or disagreeable nature. While it highlights a negative trait, it is generally understood as a description of a behavioral tendency rather than a clinical diagnosis.