tipsy

adjective

tip·​sy ˈtip-sē How to pronounce tipsy (audio)
tipsier; tipsiest
1
: unsteady, staggering, or foolish from the effects of liquor : fuddled
2
: unsteady, askew
a tipsy angle
tipsily adverb
tipsiness noun

Examples of tipsy in a Sentence

I got a little tipsy at the party last night. our uncle had too much to drink at the wedding and got a little tipsy
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.
Gently fold the tipsy cherries into the mousse and add some of the remaining liquor (if desired). Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025 One day, the resort hosts a grand festival and the younger daughter, slightly tipsy, boards her family’s yacht and sails out, before waking up the next morning and finding the prince onboard. Sara Merican, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2025 Darkly tipsy aromas that include rum, fruit cake, maraschino cherries, slight petrol and carrot cake. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025 An arrangement by Thomas Adès of Conlon Nancarrow’s Study No. 6, one of his ingenious player-piano exercises, somehow transformed complex rhythmic layerings into a blithe, tipsy rumba. Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tipsy

Word History

Etymology

tip entry 1 + -sy (as in tricksy)

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tipsy was in 1577

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tipsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tipsy. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

tipsy

adjective
tip·​sy ˈtip-sē How to pronounce tipsy (audio)
tipsier; tipsiest
: unsteady or foolish from drinking

More from Merriam-Webster on tipsy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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