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stroppy

American  
[strop-ee] / ˈstrɒp i /

adjective

British Informal.
stroppier, stroppiest
  1. bad-tempered or hostile; quick to take offense.


stroppy British  
/ ˈstrɒpɪ /

adjective

  1. informal angry or awkward

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of stroppy

1950–55; perhaps (ob)strep(erous) + -y 1, though o is unexplained

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

All of a sudden the show’s main obsession, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, is no longer a stroppy teenager, and she’s no longer portrayed by Milly Alcock.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 25, 2022

Others may now have won more titles - let's leave the 'GOAT' debate for another day - but for many the once stroppy youngster was sport at its pure best.

From BBC Sep. 15, 2022

In Christie’s case, this meant watching her stepdad go from being an energetic, loving guy, to an irresponsible, stroppy teenager.

From The Guardian Mar. 30, 2020

Frank Buckley, a stroppy World War I veteran who managed Blackpool, Wolves, and Leeds, is forever remembered for his massive tweed baggy knickers.

From Slate Jul. 14, 2018

Sadly, it has often been the foul mouth, the stroppy sulks and the occasional bouts of 'tanking' that have grabbed most of the headlines -- until this year that is.

From Reuters May 23, 2017

So I leap to action and spend an undue amount of time, growing stroppier by the second, getting myself removed from these lists.

From New York Times Jun. 22, 2017

Emma Conway, author of the blog Brummymummyof2, celebrates the stroppiest of toddlers with 'Wicked Wednesdays' - a post dedicated to photos of her followers' children in the midst of DefCon-level meltdowns.

From BBC Mar. 8, 2016

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