Dictionary.com

waspish

[ wos-pish ]
/ ˈwɒs pɪʃ /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for waspish on Thesaurus.com
adjective
like or suggesting a wasp, especially in behavior.
quick to resent a trifling affront or injury; snappish.
irascibly or petulantly spiteful: waspish writing.
having a slight or slender build.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of waspish

First recorded in 1560–70; wasp + -ish1

OTHER WORDS FROM waspish

wasp·ish·ly, adverbwasp·ish·ness, noun

Words nearby waspish

washwoman, washy, Wasim Akram, wasn't, wasp, waspish, wasp waist, waspy, wassail, Wassermann, Wassermann antibody

Other definitions for waspish (2 of 2)

Waspish

or WASP·ish

[ wos-pish ]
/ ˈwɒs pɪʃ /
adjective
Waspy.

Origin of Waspish

First recorded in 1965–70; WASP + -ish1

OTHER WORDS FROM Waspish

Wasp·ish·ly, WASP·ish·ly, adverbWasp·ish·ness, WASP·ish·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to waspish

crabby, ill-tempered, irascible, irritable, ornery, petulant, spiteful, surly, testy, cantankerous, crotchety, fretful, huffy, peevish, snappish

How to use waspish in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for waspish

waspish
/ (ˈwɒspɪʃ) /
adjective
relating to or suggestive of a wasp
easily annoyed or angered

Derived forms of waspish

waspishly, adverbwaspishness, noun
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
FEEDBACK