stroppy

"Stroppy" is an informal word, especially common in British English, for someone who is in a bad mood and shows it by being rude, argumentative, or awkward with other people. It is a little stronger than "moody" because it usually suggests visible behavior, not just a quiet feeling. A stroppy person does not simply feel annoyed; they show it in the way they speak and act.

You might say, "She was really stroppy this morning because the coffee machine broke," meaning that she was not only upset about the machine but also sharp and unpleasant with the people around her. A stroppy customer, for example, might argue with a cashier over a small problem and make the situation harder than it needs to be. The word is often used for behavior that seems petty, sulky, or unnecessarily combative.

It is not usually used for someone dealing with real grief, shock, or serious anger. Instead, it points to behavior that feels childish, touchy, or out of proportion to the situation. Because of that, calling someone stroppy can sound dismissive, since it suggests that their behavior is not fully justified.

You will often hear the word for teenagers, customers, coworkers, or anyone who reacts to a small problem with attitude and needless conflict. In short, it describes someone who is not just in a bad mood, but is letting that mood come out in a difficult and unpleasant way.