testy

[ tes-tee ]

adjective

, tes·ti·er, tes·ti·est.

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 Words From

• 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

After initially proposing that McDonnell be paid $507,509 yearly, the commission voted to lower its salary request to $450,000 after some testy discussion.

From Los Angeles Times

Yes, he had been, not surprisingly, a bit testy when Gore called to withdraw his concession, and many questioned, and continue to question, the legitimacy of the final outcome.

From Los Angeles Times

The morning after his St. Vitus dance, in what was described as a “testy appearance” at the Economic Club of Chicago, he played off his incoherence as a sophisticated “weave” of multiple ideas that only a political genius would attempt.

From Salon

The half-hour interview with Baier, Harris’ first formal sit-down with the cable channel, took place amid a media blitz by the Democratic nominee, and was testy at times.

From Los Angeles Times

This live approximation of a vinyl record that catches on loop goes on for a few more minutes, the actors getting slightly louder and a tinge more testy as they continue the repetition.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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