irate
gb/aɪɹˈeɪt/ us/aɪɹˈeɪt/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
formal
C1
property
1
very angry; furious
Very angry.
Usage pattern:
irate (at/with) [someone] (about/over) [something]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse irate (angry) with irritate (to annoy) or irritated (annoyed).
Synonyms
furious (Very close in strength; common alternative.)
|
angry (More general and often less strong.)
|
enraged (Usually stronger and more intense.)
|
incensed (Formal; suggests anger caused by something seen as unfair.)
Antonyms
calm (Not angry; emotionally controlled.)
|
pleased (Happy or satisfied rather than angry.)
Collocations
an irate customer
|irate parents
|irate passengers
|irate callers
|an irate complaint
|an irate letter
|an irate email
|irate residents
|an irate crowd
|irate voters
Themes
emotions
|communication
Examples
- Irate customers demanded refunds after the flight was cancelled.
- She was irate at the company for charging her twice.
- His irate email prompted the manager to call him immediately.
Learner examples
- My dad was irate when he saw the broken window.
- The teacher looked irate with the noisy class.
Grammar
Dictionary form
irate
IPA
GB/aɪɹˈeɪt/
US/aɪɹˈeɪt/
Syllables & stress
ir - ate (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ate)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: irate
Word family
Related words
ire
noun
Advanced or less common
irately
adverb C1
irateness
noun
Expressions
grow irate
1/ɡɹˈoʊ aɪɹˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
formal
become increasingly angry
To become very angry.
Examples
- He grew irate when no one answered his questions.
- The crowd grew irate as the delays continued.
- She grew irate at the repeated interruptions.
irate caller
1/aɪɹˈeɪt kˈɔlɚ/
fixed phrase
business
very angry person on phone
A person on the phone who is very angry.
Examples
- The operator dealt with an irate caller who demanded to speak to a supervisor.
- He stayed polite even when the irate caller started shouting.
- The call center trains new staff to handle irate callers.
irate customer
1/aɪɹˈeɪt kˈʌstəmɚ/
fixed phrase
business
very angry customer complaining
A customer who is very angry.
Examples
- The receptionist stayed calm with the irate customer.
- Security was called when an irate customer refused to leave.
- She apologized and offered a replacement to the irate customer.