snippy

adjective

snip·​py ˈsni-pē 

snippier; snippiest

1

: short-tempered, snappish

2

: unduly brief or curt

3

: putting on airs : sniffy

snippily

ˈsni-pə-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of snippy

• blunt
• abrupt
• curt
• gruff
• short
• brusque
• rude
• outspoken

Examples of snippy in a Sentence

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get snippy with you.

snippy remarks about the quality of the food at the church picnic

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s a fair bit of mirth in all this, and in Glanz’s brittle, snippy dialogue, which is abetted by the casting. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 4 June 2026

Fortunately, the emotional spar fest between the queen of withering glares and snippy comments — award winner Allison Janney — and the onstage king of stammering self involvement — Andrew Rannells — clicks in director/writer Jim Rash dramedy debut. —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 28 May 2026

While much of The Devil Wears Prada cast is remembered for delivering iconic lines, many of them are snippy, and well, lacking manners — especially Miranda's dry, dark humor. —Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026

Adelman remained snippy after a Game 5 win back home at Ball Arena on Monday. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

snip entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for snippy

• hippie
• hippy
• tippy

Kids Definition

snippy

adjective

snip·​py ˈsnip-ē 

snippier; snippiest

1

: short-tempered, snappish

2

: rudely brief : curt