- The term hangry is exclusively used in casual and colloquial settings and would likely be deemed inappropriate if used in a professional or academic context. The typical derivational affixes that apply to both angry and hungry can generally be applied to hangry as well. The person who coined this term likely did so because there did not yet exist a word to describe those who get irritable when hungry. Since angry and hungry have similar endings, the blending of the two words together perfectly capture the idea of someone who is irritable when hungry. Thus, the word hangry was formed.
hangry (2)
blending; adjective
To be so hungry to the point that you are irrationally irritable and angry. This hunger-derived anger is usually uncontrollable and indiscriminate and does not go away until the hunger has been satiated.
Etymology : Hangry is a blending of the words hungry and angry. Hungry comes from the Old English root hunger/hungor, meaning “unease caused by lack of food.” Angry comes from the Old Norse root angra, meaning “to grieve.” Both hungry and angry contain the adjective forming suffix -y.
Source : Friend 1: “Can you guys hurry up and get dressed so we can go eat? Jesus.” Friend 2: “Dang, someone’s hangry today.” (In person. 11-2-2019)
Last modified: 6 December 2019