Hangry

Hangry (adjective / US Slang)

(Also heard as: Hangriness, Getting hangry, Hangry mode)

Definition:

Hangry is a mash-up of “hungry” and “angry”. It describes the bad-tempered, irritable mood that many people get when they have not eaten for too long.

Where Hangry Comes From:

The word is a blend, or portmanteau, and began appearing in the late 20th century. It became widely used in the 2010s after it was added to major dictionaries, and it spread through social media and food culture as a relatable, funny way of explaining a short temper.

How People Actually Use Hangry:

People use it as a self-aware excuse (“sorry, I’m hangry”) or as a warning about someone else’s mood (“don’t talk to him, he’s hangry”). It is light-hearted and often followed by snacks, which is generally the cure.

Is Hangry Rude?

No. It is playful and widely understood. It can sound like an excuse for bad behaviour, so it works best when said with humour.

Examples in the Wild:

• “Feed me, I’m getting hangry.”Meaning: I need food, my mood is getting bad.
• “Sorry for snapping, I was hangry.”Meaning: I was irritable because I had not eaten.
• “Never go shopping hangry.”Meaning: Do not shop when you are hungry and in a bad mood.

Similar Slang:

Peckish, Mardy, Salty, Pressed, Nosh

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