testy

adjective

tes·​ty ˈte-stē How to pronounce testy (audio)
testier; testiest
1
: easily annoyed : irritable
2
: marked by impatience or ill humor
testy remarks
testily adverb
testiness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
McCollum believes this fervently, getting quite testy with Polsky when the filmmaker registers his doubts. Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025 Things got testy with the Mammoth jamming away at Korpisalo after the whistle and Nikita Zadorov took issue with it, tussling with Brandon Tanev. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 20 Oct. 2025 Sanders and son Shedeur were testy with Norvell during the postgame handshake at Folsom Field, after Norvell commented on Coach Prime's penchant for wearing sunglasses and a hat during interviews. Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025 New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn had a testy exchange with a reporter on Sunday following the team’s 13-11 loss to the Denver Broncos in London. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for testy

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of testy was in 1523

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Testy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testy. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

testy

adjective
tes·​ty ˈtes-tē How to pronounce testy (audio)
testier; testiest
: easily annoyed : irritable
testily adverb
testiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on testy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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