peevish
Use Peevish in a sentence
vɪʃ adjective
1.
cross, querulous, or fretful, as from vexation or discontent: a peevish youngster.
2.
showing annoyance, irritation, or bad mood: a peevish reply; a peevish frown.
3.
perverse or obstinate.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English pevysh < ?
1350–1400; Middle English pevysh < ?
Related forms
pee·vish·ly, adverb
pee·vish·ness, noun
un·pee·vish, adjective
un·pee·vish·ly, adverb
un·pee·vish·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To peevish
00:10
Peevish
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
peevish (ˈpiːvɪʃ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | fretful or irritable: a peevish child |
| 2. | obsolete perverse |
| [C14: of unknown origin] | |
| 'peevishly | |
| —adv | |
| 'peevishness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
peevish
late 14c., peyvesshe "perverse, capricious, silly," of uncertain origin, possibly modeled on L. perversus "reversed, perverse," pp. of pervertere "to turn about" (see pervert). Meaning "cross, fretful" first recorded 1520s. The verb peeve is a 1908 back-formation; pet peeve
"the thing that provokes one most" is first attested 1919.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Bad smells have nowhere to go when the mercury plummets; they end up circling your airspace, growing peevish and multiplying.
That will make you seem weak and peevish.
While he can be peevish and even mean, he is also frequently funny and generous.
Bowel pains can make people peevish.
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