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Nippy: meaning, definitions and examples

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nippy

 

[ ˈnɪpi ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

weather description

The term 'nippy' is commonly used to describe a chilly or cold atmosphere, particularly during the colder months. It often refers to a biting cold that might make one feel uncomfortable if not properly dressed. This word can also convey a sense of briskness, denoting a sharp or invigorating quality to the air. In informal usage, 'nippy' can apply to temperatures that are considered just cool enough to prompt a response from those experiencing them.

Synonyms

brisk, chilly, cold, crispy.

Examples of usage

  • It's a nippy morning, better grab a jacket.
  • The breeze has turned nippy as autumn approaches.
  • Be careful walking outside; it feels quite nippy today.

Translations

Translations of the word "nippy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 frio

🇮🇳 ठंडा

🇩🇪 kalt

🇮🇩 dingin

🇺🇦 прохолодний

🇵🇱 zimny

🇯🇵 寒い

🇫🇷 frais

🇪🇸 frío

🇹🇷 soğuk

🇰🇷 차가운

🇸🇦 بارد

🇨🇿 chladný

🇸🇰 chladný

🇨🇳 寒冷

🇸🇮 hladen

🇮🇸 kaldur

🇰🇿 суық

🇬🇪 ცივი

🇦🇿 soyuq

🇲🇽 frío

Etymology

The word 'nippy' likely originates from the early 19th century, deriving from the verb 'nip', which means to bite or pinch. Its earliest usage is rooted in the literal sensations of biting cold that one experiences during chilly weather. The transition from describing a physical bite to describing cold weather illustrates how language evolves to encapsulate sensory experiences. 'Nippy' is used primarily in British English, with roots in the adjective 'nip', indicating a sharpness that can be applied to various contexts. Over time, this term has gained popularity in informal speech, especially in relation to describing the coldness of weather, but it can also imply liveliness or briskness in other contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,855, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.