snappy
snappy — adjective
- snappypositive
- snappiercomparative
- snappiestsuperlative
1. describes a person's clothes or appearance that look modern, elegant, and carefu
describes a person's clothes or appearance that look modern, elegant, and carefully put together — especially when talking about a man's outfit.
Ryan wore a snappy blue suit to his sister's wedding.
collocation: snappy suit
The new office manager impressed everyone with her snappy business attire.
Gita bought a snappy red jacket for her first job interview.
The guests all commented on how snappy the groom looked in his dark coat.
- scruffy
opposite of neat and well-dressed
用法筆記
Most often used to compliment a man's formal or semi-formal outfit. 'Snappy dresser' is a fixed phrase for someone who always dresses fashionably.
常見錯誤
2. describes a written or spoken bit of text — such as a headline, slogan, title, o
describes a written or spoken bit of text — such as a headline, slogan, title, or remark — that is short and quickly gets people's attention or makes a point.
Wei came up with a snappy slogan for the school food drive.
collocation: snappy slogan
The newspaper headline needs to be snappy so more people buy a copy.
Isabela opened her speech with a snappy quote that made everyone laugh.
The book's title is short and snappy, which helps young readers remember it.
- verbose
using too many words; the opposite of snappy
用法筆記
Used approvingly. A 'snappy' piece of text is not just short — it is clever, memorable, and suited to its purpose.
3. speaking to people in a short, angry, or impatient way because you feel annoyed,
speaking to people in a short, angry, or impatient way because you feel annoyed, tired, or under pressure.
Selim was snappy with his little brother after a long day at school.
pattern: snappy with [person]
The tired nurse grew snappy with patients who kept asking the same questions.
"I don't have time for this," Nadia said in a snappy voice.
When Asher has not eaten all day, he gets snappy with everyone around him.
- patient
calm and tolerant; opposite of easily irritated
文法句型
be + snappy + with + person
用法筆記
Frequently used with 'get' or 'grow' to describe a change in behaviour ('get snappy with'). The person feeling snappy may later apologise, which distinguishes it from a stable personality trait.
常見錯誤
4. done or moving with speed, energy, and liveliness — used about a performance, a
done or moving with speed, energy, and liveliness — used about a performance, a piece of music, a person's walk, or as a command to hurry.
The dance group gave a snappy performance that got the whole room clapping.
collocation: snappy performance
"Make it snappy!" the chef called out to his assistant.
fixed phrase: make it snappy
The band played a snappy tune and people started tapping their feet.
Théo walked at a snappy pace through the busy train station.
用法筆記
"Make it snappy!" is the most common fixed expression from this sense — an informal way to tell someone to hurry. Outside that phrase, this sense is less frequent than senses 1 or 3.
常見錯誤
5. describes the air or weather that feels pleasantly cold and refreshing, usually
describes the air or weather that feels pleasantly cold and refreshing, usually in autumn or winter.
A snappy autumn wind blew through the park, sending leaves across the path.
collocation: snappy autumn wind
Mizuki went for a run in the snappy morning breeze and felt wide awake.
The air turned snappy after the sun went behind the clouds.
Elena sat outside the cafe enjoying the snappy but sunny afternoon.
用法筆記
The least common sense of 'snappy'. Unlike 'cold', it carries a positive or invigorating tone — like the feeling of fresh autumn air. Not used for extreme cold.