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

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

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