peevish

adjective

pee·​vish ˈpē-vish 

1

: querulous in temperament or mood : fretful

2

: perversely (see perverse sense 2b) obstinate

a peevish child

3

: marked by ill temper

has a peevish, even spiteful, streak

—Elizabeth Drew

peevishly adverb

peevishness noun

Synonyms

• irritable

Examples of peevish in a Sentence

peevish patients in the doctor's waiting room

I would rather figure things out on my own than ask that peevish librarian for help.

Recent Examples on the Web

While grunge seemed peevish, grim, defeatist, and dour—and extended the kind of us-vs.-them culture most famously centered by the indie rock of the ’80s and ’90s, Oasis was celebratory, communal, and democratic while exploring themes of alienation, escape, and fantasies of triumph. —Corey Seymour, Vogue, 28 July 2025

Thousands of people — displaced by disaster, their past lives gone up in smoke — are hostage to the whims of a peevish president who always puts his feelings first and cares nothing for the greater good. —Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025

On a less peevish note: The entry is making its New York Times Crossword debut. —Sam Corbin, New York Times, 14 May 2025

Rojas’s recollections weren’t peevish—fine work was produced under these conditions. —Ian Parker, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pevish spiteful

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for peevish

• thievish

Kids Definition

peevish

adjective

pee·​vish ˈpē-vish 

1

: irritable

2

: stubborn sense 1a

peevishly adverb

peevishness noun