top definitions
related content
examples
british

tetchy

or tech·y

[ tech-ee ]

/ ˈtɛtʃ i /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR tetchy ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, tetch·i·er, tetch·i·est.

irritable; touchy.

Origin of tetchy

1585–95; origin uncertain; cf. tetched, -y¹

OTHER WORDS FROM tetchy

tetch·i·ly, adverb tetch·i·ness, noun

Words nearby tetchy

tetanus-diphtheria toxoids vaccine, tetany, tetartanopsia, tetartohedral, tetched, tetchy, tete, teth, tether, tetherball, tethered cord syndrome

Example sentences from the Web for tetchy

But Tetchy's berries were unquestionably very superior ones.

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 16, No. 93, July, 1865 |Various
An odd incident during the day, however, showed of what tetchy materials a great populace is made.

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 59, No. 364, February 1846 |Various
Now come quickly and be careful that you do not cross the King's temper, for it is tetchy to-day.

The Lady Of Blossholme |H. Rider Haggard
They're good boys, as I said afore; but they're quick and tetchy—George, being the youngest, nat'rally is the tetchiest.

Devil's Ford |Bret Harte

That a man of my age should think one thing and say another—like a tetchy girl or a spoilt child!

The Witch of Prague |F. Marion Crawford

British Dictionary definitions for tetchy

tetchy

/ (ˈtɛtʃɪ) /

adjective tetchier or tetchiest

being or inclined to be cross, irritable, or touchy

Derived forms of tetchy

tetchily, adverb tetchiness, noun

Word Origin for tetchy

C16: probably from obsolete tetch defect, from Old French tache spot, of Germanic origin