nippy

adjective

nip·​py ˈni-pē 

nippier; nippiest

1

: marked by a tendency to nip

a nippy dog

2

: brisk, quick, or nimble in movement : snappy

a nippy boat

nippy tennis players

3

: pungent, sharp

A mixed salad and a nippy potato salad.

—Caryl Stern

4

: chilly

a nippy day

nippy breeze

nippily

ˈni-pə-lē 

adverb

nippiness

ˈni-pē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• algid
• arctic
• bitter
• bone-chilling
• chill
• chilly
• cold
• coldish
• cool
• coolish
• freezing
• frigid
• frosty
• gelid
• glacial
• ice-cold
• icy
• nipping
• numbing
• polar
• shivery
• snappy
• wintry
• wintery

Examples of nippy in a Sentence

bring a jacket, as it's a little nippy outside

blue cheese is a little too nippy for my taste

Recent Examples on the Web

Carlson also says layering is key: Coachella is scorching hot during the day, and gets nippy come nighttime. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2024

Fortunately, there are tons of versatile travel pants on the market that are perfect for nippy spring days and keep their cool well into the summer. —Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2024

Either way, this is a perfect film to enjoy (with friends) during a nippy October night. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 3 Oct. 2023

Despite the nippy temperatures, some fans camped outside as early as 5 A.M., waiting to get inside the venue. —Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 1 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

nippy

adjective

nip·​py ˈnip-ē 

nippier; nippiest

1

: quick in movement : nimble, brisk

2

: having a biting flavor

3

: chilly sense 1