testy

[ tes-tee ]

adjective

testier, testiest.

1. irritably impatient; touchy.

   Synonyms: irascible, cross, snappish, edgy, tetchy

   Antonyms: composed

testy

/ ˈtɛstɪ /

adjective

1. irritable or touchy

Derived Forms

• ˈtestily, adverb
• ˈtestiness, noun

Other Word Forms

• testi·ly adverb
• testi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of testy¹

First recorded in 1325–75; late Middle English testi, alteration of Middle French testu “headstrong”; replacing Middle English testif, from Middle French. See test ², -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of testy¹

C14: from Anglo-Norman testif headstrong, from Old French teste head, from Late Latin testa skull, from Latin: shell

Synonym Study

See irritable.

Example Sentences

Half an hour played in Paris and things are a little testy.

From BBC

Even Fox News didn’t buy that and Leavitt was left getting testy, angry and “insulted” when reporters questioned her knowledge of economics.

From Salon

The president dodged any talk of an economic downturn during a surprisingly testy interview on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures."

From Salon

The White House suspended his press credentials in November 2018 after a testy exchange with Trump at a news conference.

From Los Angeles Times

One press wrangler got particularly testy about entry, prompting one veteran reporter to ask “Are they going to fingerprint us too?” as they worked their way toward the president.

From Salon

Related Words

• annoyed
• cantankerous
• cranky
• edgy
• exasperated
• grumpy
• impatient
• quarrelsome
• sullen
• uptight