What does snippy mean?
Snippy is an informal adjective with two closely related uses. Its most common meaning describes someone who is curt, irritable, or sharp-tongued, especially in conversation. It can also describe something quick or sharp in movement or manner, as in a snippy gesture or a snippy little animal. The word often carries a mildly negative or humorous tone: calling someone snippy suggests that their manner is abrupt rather than generous, calm, or tactful. Although it is related to the verb snip, its modern usage is mainly figurative. In everyday English, “snippy tone” and “snippy reply” are especially common, while “snappy” is a related word that more often suggests briskness, energy, or crispness rather than irritation. Snippy is understood in both British and American English.
adjectiveQuick and sharp in movement or manner; commonly, irritable or curt in speech.
- Irritable, curt, or sharp-tongued in manner or speech.
- Quick and sharp in movement, manner, or appearance.
"Her snippy reply ended the discussion before it had properly begun."
"The editor became snippy when the deadline was mentioned."
"A snippy little movement carried the bird across the garden."
A snippy remark may be brief enough to fit in one sentence, but it can also end a conversation in one.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does snippy come from?
Snippy is an English formation based on the verb snip, with the suffix -y added to create an adjective. The older sense connected with being quick or sharp in movement developed alongside the modern sense of being curt or sharp-tongued. The related forms snipping, snipped, and snips belong to the same word family and reflect the base verb's association with cutting or clipping.
Related word forms
How snippy is actually used
Usually informal. It can sound mildly critical or disapproving when it describes a person's manner, although it may also be playful in contexts such as a snippy exchange of banter.
Easily confused with snippy
Snippy usually describes a sharp, curt, or irritable manner, whereas snappy more often means lively, brisk, or crisp.
Snip is a noun and verb referring to a small cut or to cutting with sharp scissors, while snippy is an adjective describing a quick, sharp, or irritable manner.