peevish

[pee-vish]

adjective

1. cross, querulous, or fretful, as from vexation or discontent.

   a peevish youngster.

   Synonyms: snappish, irritable, petulant

2. showing annoyance, irritation, or bad mood.

   a peevish reply; a peevish frown.

3. perverse or obstinate.

peevish

/ ˈpiːvɪʃ /

adjective

1. fretful or irritable

   a peevish child

2. obsolete,  perverse

Other Word Forms

• peevishness noun
• peevishly adverb
• unpeevish adjective
• unpeevishly adverb
• unpeevishness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of peevish¹

1350–1400; Middle English pevysh of unknown origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of peevish¹

C14: of unknown origin

Synonym Study

See cross.