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pettish

[ pet-ish ]

/ ˈpɛt ɪʃ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR pettish ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

petulantly peevish: a pettish refusal.

Origin of pettish

First recorded in 1585–95; see origin at pet², -ish¹

OTHER WORDS FROM pettish

pet·tish·ly, adverb pet·tish·ness, noun

Words nearby pettish

pettifogger, pettifogging, petting, petting zoo, pettipants, pettish, pettiskirt, pettislip, pettitoes, pettle, petty

Example sentences from the Web for pettish

But you are so hard to please and so pettish, I am seven times tired of yourself and your ways.

Three Wonder Plays |Lady I. A. Gregory
"Do not ask me that again," she replied, seeming both disappointed and pettish.

The Gay Adventure |Richard Bird
The pettish look had passed from her face; so also had the world-wise expression.

The Gentle Art of Cooking Wives |Elizabeth Strong Worthington
Mr. Toole nodded a pettish assent, coughed, muttered something to himself, and then inquired when he should come for an answer.

The Cock and Anchor |Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

Polly laughed, and did the same, feeling sorry she had been so pettish.

Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag VI |Louisa M. Alcott

British Dictionary definitions for pettish

pettish

/ (ˈpɛtɪʃ) /

adjective

peevish; petulant a pettish child

Derived forms of pettish

pettishly, adverb pettishness, noun

Word Origin for pettish

C16: from pet ²