testy

adjective

tes·​ty ˈte-stē 

testier; testiest

1

: easily annoyed : irritable

2

: marked by impatience or ill humor

testy remarks

testily

ˈte-stə-lē 

adverb

testiness

ˈte-stē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• choleric
• crabby
• cranky
• cross
• crotchety
• fiery
• grouchy
• grumpy
• irascible
• irritable
• peevish
• perverse
• pettish
• petulant
• prickly
• quick-tempered
• raspy
• ratty
• short-tempered
• snappish
• snappy
• snarky
• snippety
• snippy
• stuffy
• waspish

Examples of testy in a Sentence

that coworker would be easier to get along with if she weren't so testy all the time

Recent Examples on the Web

With Ted gone, the future of AFC Richmond is in the hands of new manager Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein), who has evolved from a testy former player to a respected coach. —Maddie Garfinkle, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025

The once docile Jamie, convinced he’s being manipulated, becomes testy and volatile. —Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2025

The film, in its trivial way, exudes a dyspeptic downer vibe, the result of everyone in it being so testy and unpleasant. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 Mar. 2025

Vance is fresh from a testy exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House. —Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English testif, from Anglo-French, headstrong, from teste head — more at tester entry 2

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for testy

• arrestee
• contestee

Kids Definition

testy

adjective

tes·​ty ˈtes-tē 

testier; testiest

: easily annoyed : irritable

testily

-tə-lē 

adverb

testiness

-tē-nəs 

noun