What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ratty
Example
She's been acting ratty all day, snapping at everyone who talks to her. [ratty: adjective]
Example
The sofa in the living room looks ratty and needs to be replaced. [ratty: adjective]
Example
The alley behind the restaurant was dark and ratty, with garbage strewn everywhere. [ratty: adjective]
cranky
Example
He's always cranky in the morning before he has his coffee. [cranky: adjective]
Example
The old printer was acting cranky and wouldn't print the document. [cranky: adjective]
Example
I'm feeling cranky about the traffic jam on the way to work this morning. [cranky: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cranky is more commonly used than ratty in everyday language. Cranky is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ratty is less common and refers to a specific type of unpleasantness.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ratty and cranky?
Both ratty and cranky are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts.
