peevish

[ pee-vish ]

/ ˈpi vɪʃ /

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See synonyms for: peevish / peevishness on Thesaurus.com

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR peevish

1 petulant, irritable, snappish.

See synonyms for peevish on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of peevish

1350–1400; Middle English pevysh of unknown origin

synonym study for peevish

1. See cross.

OTHER WORDS FROM peevish

pee·vish·ly, adverbpee·vish·ness, nounun·pee·vish, adjectiveun·pee·vish·ly, adverb

un·pee·vish·ness, noun

Words nearby peevish

peer-to-peer network, peetweet, peeve, peeved, peevers, peevish, peewee, peewit, P.E.F., peg, Pegasus

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use peevish in a sentence

The young people in Girls are miserable, peevish, depressed, hate their bodies, themselves, their life, and each other.
Up to a Point: They Made Me Write About Lena Dunham|P. J. O’Rourke|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Impatient and dismissive, punctuated by forced, faked little laughs and peevish demands for more airtime.
Ryan Solid, But One Major Mistake|David Frum|October 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But under questioning, he continued to look peevish and evasive, and in denial about the judgment problems being exposed.
David Cameron’s Credibility Problem|Alastair Campbell|July 8, 2011|DAILY BEAST
He that refused a pipe in company was accounted peevish and unsociable.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.

Outside the coach his voice still urged her, and it grew peevish and angry, as was usual when he was crossed.
Mistress Wilding|Rafael Sabatini
"Men style the peevish resentment such dispositions exhibit, 'honor,'" returned Charley, with a half bitter emphasis.
Alone|Marion Harland
I wish to know if Mr Lyson since his return to his native country, continues in his peevish cross temper.
Baron d'Holbach|Max Pearson Cushing
We were whimpering and peevish; we were wracked with pain and weary of mind, but that nurse never failed to smile.
Private Peat|Harold R. Peat

British Dictionary definitions for peevish

peevish

/ (ˈpiːvɪʃ) /

adjective

fretful or irritablea peevish child

obsolete perverse

Derived forms of peevish

peevishly, adverbpeevishness, noun

Word Origin for peevish

C14: of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

peevish

OTHER WORDS FOR peevish

Origin of peevish

synonym study for peevish

OTHER WORDS FROM peevish

Words nearby peevish

Words related to peevish

How to use peevish in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for peevish

Derived forms of peevish

Word Origin for peevish