nippy
/ˈnɪpi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈnɪpi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈni-pē/ (ame, mw)
nippy — adjective
- nippypositive
- nippiercomparative
- nippiestsuperlative
1. describes weather or air that feels uncomfortably cold, especially in a sharp wa
describes weather or air that feels uncomfortably cold, especially in a sharp way that bites at exposed skin
Noa pulled on her scarf before stepping out into the nippy October morning.
attributive: nippy + weather noun (morning, air, breeze)
The air on top of the mountain turned nippy as soon as the sun went down.
predicative: [weather noun] + turned/got + nippy
Bring a thicker coat tomorrow because the wind near the lake gets really nippy.
It was a nippy spring evening, so Liam lit a small fire on the porch.
Tariro rubbed her hands together to warm them up in the nippy wind.
用法筆記
Subject is almost always weather, air, wind, or a time of day; nippy is not used of people or rooms with broken heating — use 'cold' or 'freezing' for those.
常見錯誤
2. describes a small car, animal, or person that moves fast and can change directio
describes a small car, animal, or person that moves fast and can change direction without effort
Dario bought a nippy little hatchback that handled the narrow streets of Naples beautifully.
attributive: nippy + small vehicle (hatchback, car, scooter)
The nippy terrier darted between the legs of the children at the picnic.
attributive: nippy + agile animal
Ritu is a nippy striker who creates space for her teammates with sudden bursts.
This electric scooter is surprisingly nippy in city traffic, even with two riders.
Élise drives a nippy old Mini that slips into parking spots others give up on.
- sluggish
slow to respond or get moving
- cumbersome
large and awkward to control
用法筆記
Subject is typically a small car, a small agile animal, or a sports player; not used of large vehicles or slow steady runners. Common in British English motoring reviews.
常見錯誤
3. describes food or drink that has a sharp, slightly hot flavour that catches at t
describes food or drink that has a sharp, slightly hot flavour that catches at the back of the throat
Salma served a nippy ginger soup that warmed everyone after the long walk home.
attributive: nippy + food noun with sharp flavour (soup, sauce, cheese)
This farmhouse cheddar is far too nippy for the children — give them the mild block instead.
predicative: be + (too) nippy + for + person
Rodrigo added wasabi to the dressing, which made the salad pleasantly nippy.
The mustard at that deli is so nippy that one small spoonful clears your sinuses.
Hao brewed a nippy chai with extra black pepper and fresh ginger for the winter market.
用法筆記
Subject is food or drink with sharp warming flavours — mustard, ginger, mature cheese, chai. Not used for spicy heat from chilli peppers — use 'hot' or 'spicy' for that.