peeve

[ peev ]

verb (used with object)

, peeved, peev·ing.

1. to render peevish; annoy.

noun

1. a source of annoyance or irritation:

   Tardiness is one of my greatest peeves.

   Synonyms: grievance, affliction, vexation

2. an annoyed or irritated mood:

   to be in a peeve.

peeve

/ piːv /

verb

1. tr to irritate; vex; annoy

noun

1. something that irritates; vexation

   it was a pet peeve of his

Derived Forms

• peeved, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of peeve¹

1905–10, Americanism; back formation from peevish

Word History and Origins

Origin of peeve¹

C20: back formation from peevish

Example Sentences

When I go to arenas, I like to meet with fan groups and hear what their peeve points are about us, and what their positives are.

From Time

And the omission or derision of dads in the parent (aka “mommy”) blogosphere is a perennial pet peeve.

From The Daily Beast

A lot of my pet peeves, by the way, have to do with being unoriginal so I would say that's a top pet peeve as well.

From The Daily Beast

I have a girl pet peeve: the macho prevalence of sports talk in White House briefing rooms and Washington green rooms.

From The Daily Beast

Kelly Lightfoot, her not-too-serious peeve forgotten, had come back into the galley to listen to the radio exchange.

From Project Gutenberg

Of course I know you don't mean it—you're simply hot and tired, and trying to work off your peeve on me.

From Project Gutenberg

But for Charley and his overloaded peeve, they would have been in Crystal City inside the hour.

From Project Gutenberg

Paste this, Fuscus, in your hat:Not a pesky thing can peeve me.

From Project Gutenberg

"Was is right," Crawford growled, now on one of his favorite peeve subjects.

From Project Gutenberg