Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for nippy

nippy

[ nip-ee ]

adjective

, nip·pi·er, nip·pi·est.
  1. chilly or cold:

    morning air that feels a bit nippy.

  2. sharp or biting; tangy:

    This cheese has a good, nippy taste.

  3. Chiefly British Informal. nimble; agile.


nippy

/ ˈnɪpɪ /

adjective

  1. (of weather) chilly, keen, or frosty
  2. informal.
    1. quick; nimble; active
    2. (of a motor vehicle) small and relatively powerful
  3. (of the taste of food) biting, sharp, or pungent
  4. (of a dog) inclined to bite


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈnippily, adverb
  • ˈnippiness, noun

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of nippy1

First recorded in 1565–75; nip 1 + -y 1

Discover More

Example Sentences

Summer is starting to retreat and the morning air is already nippy.

But Nippy would keep on doing it until everything was gone.

The air was getting a little nippy, as Buster called it; so that several of the motorboat boys had donned their sweaters.

He remembered that he had ridden in one a few days before and that it was what he called "nifty and nippy."

Yer'd best look nippy and come into the kitchen and 'ave yer brekfus'.

Even elderly ladies who looked with abhorrence upon the drinking habit were not denied their wee bit nippy.

He directed the men to help him onto his feet and soon came back with his old-fashioned nippy gait.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Nippurnip-up