querulous
Say it: KWEH-ruh-lus /ˈkwɛrʊləs/ · adjective
What “querulous” means
Always complaining in a whiny, irritated way.
More precisely: Complaining in a whiny, irritable way.
Example: “The querulous passenger behind me grumbled about the legroom for the whole flight.”
When to use it
A formal, disapproving word for someone's persistently whining voice, complaints or manner, especially over small annoyances.
Similar words
whiny, peevish, petulant
Where it comes from
From Latin querulus, from queri, 'to complain'.
Quick check
A café customer whines about the chair, then the cup, then the light, finding fault with everything. Their manner is…
querulous or critical?
Show the answer
querulous
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