snappy

American  

[snap-ee] / ˈsnæp i /

adjective

snappier, snappiest

1. apt to snap or bite; snappish, as a dog.

2. impatient or irritable, as a person or a reply.

3. snapping or crackling in sound, as a fire.

4. quick or sudden in action or performance.

5. Informal. crisp, smart, lively, brisk, etc..

   Only snappy people get ahead in this world.

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idioms

1. make it snappy, to speed up; hurry.

snappy British  

/ ˈsnæpɪ /

adjective

1. Also: snappish.  apt to speak sharply or irritably

2. Also: snappish.  apt to snap or bite

3. crackling in sound

   a snappy fire

4. brisk, sharp, or chilly

   a snappy pace

   snappy weather

5. smart and fashionable

   a snappy dresser

6. slang be quick! hurry up!

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snappy More Idioms  

1. see under make haste.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• snappiness
  noun
• snappily
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of snappy

First recorded in 1740–50; snap + -y ¹

Example Sentences

And then there’s a group of folks on the outskirts that are just hanging out because their pals are there, and so someone’s going to come in with an in-joke or a snappy line.

From Salon • May 12, 2026

He took me to dinner a few times in his snappy red Porsche, then invited me to join him for a weekend in Yosemite National Park.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

After all, it is a snappy cowpuncher variation on Woody Guthrie’s “Dusty Old Dust/So Long It’s Been Good to Know Yuh” with Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, the folk legend’s old musical partner, singing along.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

He's the only artist with album of the year nominations for five consecutive releases, and GNX is a snappy, crowd-pleasing tour de force.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2026

He started playing a snappy tune and tossed an apple in front of the boar.

From "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordan