quarrelsome

/ˈkwɒrəlsəm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkwɑːrəlsəm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkwȯr(-ə)l-səm ˈkwär(-ə)l-/ (ame, mw)

quarrelsome — adjective

  • quarrelsomepositive
  • more quarrelsomecomparative
  • most quarrelsomesuperlative

1. Often starting arguments with other people about small things and getting angry

1.形容詞C1
釋義

Often starting arguments with other people about small things and getting angry quickly.

例句

Mauricio became quarrelsome after a few glasses of wine at dinner.

predicative use: become quarrelsome after [trigger]

Anong's quarrelsome neighbour shouts at the children for kicking a ball over the fence.

attributive use: quarrelsome + person noun

同義詞
  • argumentative

    more neutral and modern; focuses on liking to debate, not necessarily losing one's temper

  • cantankerous

    older and stronger; suggests a bad-tempered, difficult older person

  • belligerent

    stronger; suggests aggression and a wish to fight, not just bicker

  • irritable

    milder; describes a short temper rather than active picking of fights

反義詞
  • peaceable

    describes someone who avoids fights and likes calm

  • easygoing

    describes someone relaxed who does not get upset over small things

用法筆記

Frequently used of people who habitually pick fights over minor matters; can be predicative ('he is quarrelsome') or attributive ('a quarrelsome child'). Slightly literary or old-fashioned compared with 'argumentative'.

常見錯誤

❌The meeting was quarrelsome.
✅The meeting was full of quarrelling.
💡'quarrelsome' describes a person's character, not a single event.