testy
Americanadjective
adjective
Related Words
See irritable.
Other Word Forms
- testily adverb
- testiness noun
Etymology
Origin of testy
First recorded in 1325–75; late Middle English testi, alteration of Middle French testu “headstrong”; replacing Middle English testif, from Middle French. See test 2, -ive
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.
Ties remain cool with former colonial power France, which was swift to call for Bazoum's release, while relations with the European Union are similarly testy.
From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026
When I asked the Vermont Independent what could be done to return to some semblance of normalcy, he seemed testy, waved his hands and said, “We’re doing the best we can.”
From Salon • Feb. 13, 2026
Is it any wonder why people are so testy these days?
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 19, 2026
In a testy exchange, Halligan said the full grand jury hadn’t seen a substitute indictment of Comey that was prepared after the group declined one of the false statement charges she had presented.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 22, 2025
“And he got testy with her. Big mistake.”
From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
