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 of testy

• irritable
• fiery

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 more testy and volatile negotiations sure to come once Johnson presents his full budget proposal next month, the mayor’s $401 million pitch might not stick. — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Are the rush lines to get into a screening particularly testy? — Joe Reid, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Well, things got testy as Shelton complained to the chair umpire about Zverev’s antics ahead of his serves. — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2026

That challenge was shot down by the commissioners at the end of a testy hearing on Thursday. — John Aguilar, Denver Post, 8 Sep. 2026

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