toey

[toh-ee]

adjective

Australian Informal.

1. touchy or restive; apprehensive; fractious.

toey

/ ˈtəʊɪ /

adjective

1. (of a person) nervous or anxious

2. (of a person) eager for sexual activity; aroused

3. rare,  (of a horse) eager to race

4. very anxious

Word History and Origins

Origin of toey¹

1920–25; originally in reference to a racehorse; perhaps toe + -y ¹

Example Sentences

In Klong Toey, he met a Catholic nun, Sister Maria Chantavarodom, now 92, who led him through the narrow lanes and joined him in founding the tiny school in a former pigsty.

Read more on New York Times

Catholics are a tiny minority in Klong Toey, and in Thailand over all, but Father Joe says that he has always embraced the Buddhists and Muslims he lives among, and that the respect is mutual.

Read more on New York Times

Returning to Bangkok in 1971, after war came to Laos, he was reassigned to Klong Toey, almost as far out of sight as if he had been in the distant highlands.

Read more on New York Times

Soon after he arrived there, he had an opportunity to escort Mother Teresa around Klong Toey during her visit to Thailand.

Read more on New York Times

But as a religious figure in Klong Toey, he was motivated, he said, “to be pure as snow,” adding, “I couldn’t do anything stupid, like getting drunk.”

Read more on New York Times