snappy

American  

[snap-ee] / ˈsnæp i /

adjective

snappier, snappiest

1. apt to snap or bite; snappish, as a dog.

2. impatient or irritable, as a person or a reply.

3. snapping or crackling in sound, as a fire.

4. quick or sudden in action or performance.

5. Informal. crisp, smart, lively, brisk, etc..

   Only snappy people get ahead in this world.

---

idioms

1. make it snappy, to speed up; hurry.

snappy British  

/ ˈsnæpɪ /

adjective

1. Also: snappish.  apt to speak sharply or irritably

2. Also: snappish.  apt to snap or bite

3. crackling in sound

   a snappy fire

4. brisk, sharp, or chilly

   a snappy pace

   snappy weather

5. smart and fashionable

   a snappy dresser

6. slang be quick! hurry up!

---

snappy More Idioms  

1. see under make haste.

---

Other Word Forms

• snappily adverb
• snappiness noun

Etymology

Origin of snappy

First recorded in 1740–50; snap + -y ¹

Example Sentences

The reasons go well beyond just high gas prices: They’re low maintenance, and so snappy to drive that even the cheaper models make the average gas car feel sluggish.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ms. Weisz is shortchanged by the material, which likely wouldn’t be improved by, say, a snappier delivery.

From The Wall Street Journal

His gripping stories, as Tom Nolan observes, are marked by “individualized characters, snappy dialogue and historical awareness.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The episodes are snappy, at around 30 minutes each, and the tone of “Vladimir” often leans more funny than serious.

From Los Angeles Times

The mailman said, “Go ahead but make it snappy. I’m running late and it’s going to be after dark when I get back to town.”

From Literature