nippy

adjective

nip·​py ˈni-pē How to pronounce nippy (audio)
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 adverb
nippiness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
All that was left was the nippy air that was expected to force trick-or-treaters to dress with an extra layer. Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024 But despite the better performance, this car isn’t as nippy as dual motor Teslas, nor is the performance delivery so immediate. James Morris, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024 That from a man small in stature but nippy and tenacious, not to mention technically gifted—these characteristics have kept him at the top level in Spain. Henry Flynn, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 The black option looks unquestionably upscale, and the brown version, with its creamy shearling and vintage aviator vibes, just begs to be worn on a nippy night out. Miles Walls, People.com, 28 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for nippy 

Word History

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nippy was in 1575

Dictionary Entries Near nippy

Cite this Entry

“Nippy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nippy. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

nippy

adjective
nip·​py ˈnip-ē How to pronounce nippy (audio)
nippier; nippiest
1
: quick in movement : nimble, brisk
2
: having a biting flavor
3

More from Merriam-Webster on nippy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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