nippy

[ nip-ee ]

adjective

, nip·pi·er, nip·pi·est.

1. chilly or cold:

   morning air that feels a bit nippy.

2. sharp or biting; tangy:

   This cheese has a good, nippy taste.

3. Chiefly British Informal. nimble; agile.

nippy

/ ˈnɪpɪ /

adjective

1. (of weather) chilly, keen, or frosty
2. informal.
   1. quick; nimble; active
   2. (of a motor vehicle) small and relatively powerful
3. (of the taste of food) biting, sharp, or pungent
4. (of a dog) inclined to bite

Derived Forms

• ˈnippiness, noun
• ˈnippily, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of nippy¹

First recorded in 1565–75; nip ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Summer is starting to retreat and the morning air is already nippy.

From The Daily Beast

But Nippy would keep on doing it until everything was gone.

From The Daily Beast

The air was getting a little nippy, as Buster called it; so that several of the motorboat boys had donned their sweaters.

From Project Gutenberg

He remembered that he had ridden in one a few days before and that it was what he called "nifty and nippy."

From Project Gutenberg

Yer'd best look nippy and come into the kitchen and 'ave yer brekfus'.

From Project Gutenberg

Even elderly ladies who looked with abhorrence upon the drinking habit were not denied their wee bit nippy.

From Project Gutenberg

He directed the men to help him onto his feet and soon came back with his old-fashioned nippy gait.

From Project Gutenberg