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

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

McKellen lands every snippy bon mot and backhanded compliment that Julian doles out, but Coel makes every crack in Lori’s facade really count, as the mystery behind her commitment to Julian unfurls. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026

Javier Ignacio is both soothing and snippy as the Beast’s confidante Cogsworth, a clock, while Cameron Monroe Thomas adds vivacity to the dour castle as the feather duster Babette. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 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