shirty

[ shur-tee ]

adjective

, shirt·i·er, shirt·i·est.

1. bad-tempered; irritable; cranky.

shirty

/ ˈʃɜːtɪ /

adjective

1. slang.
   bad-tempered or annoyed

Derived Forms

• ˈshirtiness, noun
• ˈshirtily, adverb

Other Words From

• shirt·i·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of shirty¹

First recorded in 1840–50; shirt, in the phrase get someone's shirt out “to annoy” + -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of shirty¹

C19: perhaps based on such phrases as to get someone's shirt out to annoy someone

Example Sentences

Of course, if she had been plain, he reflected gravely, one could understand her being so shirty.

From Project Gutenberg

It is most welcome, as the pater only sent ten bob, being shirty about my report; and the mater another.

From Project Gutenberg

I called out loudly and angrily, 'Shirty, don't shoot him in the back!'

From Project Gutenberg

Shirty was n't there, but I had him covered when he turned back, red hot at having been deceived.

From Project Gutenberg

That's really how it was when I saw you going off with that creature; but of course I was an ass to get shirty about it.

From Project Gutenberg