adjective

tetchy

TECH-ee/ˈtetʃi/

Easily annoyed or irritated.

The tetchy man scowls impatiently at a tiny splash of coffee.

A man reacts with disproportionate irritation to a tiny splash of coffee beside his cup, scowling and raising one hand in an impatient gesture.

Etymology

The word is recorded with the meaning 'easily irritated,' but its origin is uncertain. The related noun tetch, 'a tantrum,' appears later and may have been formed from the adjective.

In context

Bona Fide0:01

even though he was allowed to get away with telling blatant lies he still got very tetchy he's got really frustrated at being asked questions

Rishi Sunak getting TETCHY at being asked questions!

More examples

I'm a little tetchy today because I barely slept.
She grew tetchier as the questions continued.
His tetchy reply made me hesitate to ask for help.

Forms

tetchy · tetchier · tetchiest

tetchiness noun — The tendency to become easily irritated.

tetchily adverb — In an easily annoyed or irritated manner.

Similar words

irritable: A more neutral term for being easily annoyed.
touchy: Often emphasizes sensitivity to criticism or particular subjects.
cranky: An informal alternative often suggesting tiredness or general bad temper.