snippy

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "snippy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is curt, irritable, or short-tempered in their responses or demeanor. Example: "Her snippy remarks during the meeting made it clear that she was not in a good mood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr Dean won the Vermont primary with 58% of the vote, despite having dropped out of the race two weeks earlierThe campaign that wouldn't die (3)"I'm not going to sit here and be window dressing .Al Sharpton gets snippy during the debate in New York, February 29th.

The Economist

That is why the city has a mayor, Rocky Anderson, who is not merely a lapsed Mormon but also quite snippy towards the church.Mr Anderson marches in gay pride parades and thinks the city should ditch all its finicky drinking laws.

The Economist

(Mr Trump says he thought the piece worked out well for him, though he does concede that "Tina can be snippy").

The Economist

He told them of welfare cheats living high on the hog (in vain, snippy journalists challenged his facts and statistics).

The Economist

Unfathomable charges, delayed flights, crowded aircraft, snippy agents the litany of complaints is familiar.

The Economist

Defeat could sober the FDP but might also sharpen its aggression, further souring its already snippy relationship with the CDU.Much depends on what sort of defeat voters inflict on Mr Rüttgers's coalition.

The Economist

Stella wanted to know how he'd kept his compulsion in check for so long: "You're a barren spinster, so you wouldn't know, but small children take up all your time," was his enjoyably snippy response.

Independent

One billionaire was "a little snippy," he said.

The New Yorker

They had a baler and a "snippy," a device for cutting up cars, and, in 1971, they built a shredder at a second, five-acre yard, a few miles away.

The New Yorker

Who am I to be snippy about anything?

The New Yorker

Negotiations over Derek Jeter's contract with the Yankees have gotten snippy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "snippy" to describe a person's tone or behavior when they are being curt and slightly rude in their responses. It's more nuanced than simply saying someone is angry or rude.

Common error

Avoid using "snippy" in very formal or professional writing. While acceptable in many contexts, it can sound too informal or judgmental in academic papers or high-level business communications. Opt for more neutral terms like "curt" or "impatient" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "snippy" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe a quality of being curt, irritable, or short-tempered. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. For example, "a snippy response" describes the nature of the response.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Snippy" is an adjective used to describe someone who is curt, irritable, or short-tempered. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It is commonly found in news and media contexts and is generally considered to have a neutral register, though perhaps too informal for strict academic or professional writing. Alternative phrases such as "curt", "irritable", and "short-tempered" offer similar meanings. When using "snippy", be mindful of the context, opting for more formal terms when necessary. The frequent appearance of "snippy" in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Economist underscores its widespread acceptance and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

snappish

Similar to "snippy" but can also describe an animal's behavior.

curt

Emphasizes the brevity and abruptness of the response.

irritable

Focuses on the underlying feeling of annoyance rather than the expression of it.

short-tempered

Highlights the quickness with which someone becomes angry.

testy

Suggests a touchy or easily provoked nature.

irascible

Indicates a tendency to be easily provoked to anger.

impatient

Focuses on the lack of tolerance for delays or opposition.

petulant

Implies childish sulkiness or bad temper.

grumpy

Indicates a general state of unhappiness and irritability.

cross

A milder term suggesting displeasure or annoyance.

FAQs

How can I use "snippy" in a sentence?

You can use "snippy" to describe someone's tone or behavior when they are being curt and irritable, for example: "Her "snippy" response showed she was having a bad day.".

What are some alternatives to "snippy"?

Alternatives include "curt", "short-tempered", "irritable", or "snappish", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "snippy" appropriate for formal writing?

While "snippy" is widely understood, it might be too informal for academic or professional writing. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "curt" or "impatient" in formal contexts.

What does it mean when someone is described as "snippy"?

When someone is described as "snippy", it means they are responding in a curt, somewhat rude, and irritable manner. It suggests impatience and a lack of politeness in their communication.