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peevish
[ pee-vish ]
/ ˈpi vɪʃ /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
cross, querulous, or fretful, as from vexation or discontent: a peevish youngster.
showing annoyance, irritation, or bad mood: a peevish reply; a peevish frown.
perverse or obstinate.
QUIZ
CUDDLE UP! A COZY QUIZ ON FALL WORDS HAS ARRIVED
If autumn is your ideal season, spice up your repertoire of "fall" vocabulary with this quiz on some warm and vivid descriptive words for the season.
Question 1 of 10
Which of the following words means “to make a crackling sound; crackle”?
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Origin of peevish
1350–1400; Middle English pevysh of unknown origin
synonym study for peevish
1. See cross.
OTHER WORDS FROM peevish
Words nearby peevish
peer-to-peer network, peetweet, peeve, peeved, peevers, peevish, peewee, peewit, P.E.F., peg, peg-and-socket joint
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use peevish in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for peevish
peevish
/ (ˈpiːvɪʃ) /
adjective
fretful or irritablea peevish child
obsolete perverse
Derived forms of peevish
peevishly, adverbpeevishness, nounWord Origin for peevish
C14: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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