peeved

American  

[peevd] / pivd /

adjective

1. annoyed; irritated; vexed.

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Other Word Forms

• peevedly adverb
• peevedness noun

Etymology

Origin of peeved

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10; peeve + -ed ²

Explanation

When you're peeved, you're extremely annoyed or irritated. If you eat the donut that your sister was saving for later, she's going to be so peeved! The adjective peeved comes from an older one, peevish, which originally meant "silly," and later came to mean "cross or fretful." You've probably heard of "pet peeves," those particular annoyances that drive you crazy? Peeved is how you feel when faced with such annoyances, like tiny rocks in your shoe as you walk to school, terrible music in a restaurant, or a bad referee call against your favorite basketball team.

Example Sentences

“It sounds like a competitor’s just peeved that they’re losing market share,” Kershner said, “and maybe they’re grasping at straws.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

None has peeved him more than a shareholder dispute over a highly generous executive pay package—a $50 billion bonus from Tesla to its CEO.

From Slate • Feb. 5, 2025

Voters attracted to Reform don't come from any one political tribe, but ask pollsters and they share a sentiment – they're pretty peeved with the UK in 2025.

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2025

Legitimately peeved about Barkley’s interruption, O’Neal refused to answer Johnson’s question about the playoff series.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 24, 2024

“He seemed sort of peeved when I told him she was gone.”

From "Native Son" by Richard Wright