Hangry
Meaning: Irritable or angry because you’re hungry.
Ever been so hungry that you became angry? That’s called being "hangry"—a mix of "hungry" and "angry." This playful word became popular in the early 2010s and is now officially in dictionaries. Scientists even say it’s real: when your blood sugar drops, your brain has trouble regulating emotions. That’s why some people get extra irritated before lunch. If you’re ever short-tempered and your stomach’s growling, you’re probably just hangry. Time for a snack!
How to use it
“Hangry” is a blend of “hungry” and “angry.” It’s casual and playful, and people often use it to joke about their own bad mood or to explain it. It’s fine in texts, chats and relaxed talk at work, but not in formal writing. Merriam-Webster added it to its dictionary in 2018.
Examples
- Sorry I snapped at you. I skipped lunch and I’m a little hangry.
- Let’s eat first. You know I get hangry on long drives.
- Don’t schedule the meeting at noon. Everyone will be hangry.
A common mistake
“Hangry” is an adjective, like “hungry.” Say I’m hangry or I get hangry, not “I have hangry” or “I’m hangrying.”
Say it out loud
Tabbi Daily gives you one short lesson like this every day. Listen, record yourself and hear how you sound. Free, no account needed.
Source: Merriam-Webster