nippy
nippy — adjective
- nippypositive
- nippiercomparative
- nippiestsuperlative
1. describes a person, animal, or vehicle that can move, turn, or change direction
describes a person, animal, or vehicle that can move, turn, or change direction very quickly and smoothly
Felix is a nippy little midfielder who can turn past defenders in a single move.
collocation: nippy [person type] for an agile person
A nippy scooter zipped through the narrow back streets of the old town.
collocation: nippy [vehicle type] for a fast, agile vehicle
What makes this little car feel so nippy is its light weight and responsive steering.
Padma's nippy footwork at the net helped her win every volley in the tennis match.
Eli's nippy moves on the court left the defenders unable to keep up.
文法句型
be nippy
a nippy [noun]
用法筆記
Commonly used for small, lightweight vehicles (scooters, small cars) or agile people in sports. More informal than 'agile' or 'nimble'.
常見錯誤
2. describes weather, wind, or air that is cold enough to feel sharp or uncomfortab
describes weather, wind, or air that is cold enough to feel sharp or uncomfortable, often in a way that makes you want to put on warm clothes
Amelia wrapped a scarf around her neck before stepping out into the nippy morning air.
collocation: nippy morning air
A nippy breeze blew through the open window, making Joaquín shiver at his desk.
collocation: nippy breeze
The air turned noticeably nippy after the sun went down behind the hills.
Rania decided to wear her heavy coat because the weather was rather nippy that morning.
On nippy autumn evenings, the Watanabe family sits by the fireplace with hot drinks.
文法句型
it is / feels nippy
a nippy [noun]
用法筆記
Primarily British English. Used for weather and air temperature only — not for objects ('a nippy drink') or liquids. More informal than 'cold' or 'chilly'.
常見錯誤
3. describes a food, drink, or smell that has a strong, sharp, and slightly biting
describes a food, drink, or smell that has a strong, sharp, and slightly biting quality that you notice immediately on your tongue or in your nose
Nia added fresh ginger to the soup, giving it a nippy warmth she loved.
collocation: nippy flavour
The aged cheese had a nippy taste that reminded Lotte of her hometown market.
Renata sniffed the air and caught the nippy scent of pine trees and wood smoke.
This mustard is quite nippy — your nose tingles if you eat too much.
A nippy aroma of vinegar filled the kitchen as Jiwoo opened the pickle jar.
文法句型
a nippy [food/flavour]
taste/smell nippy
用法筆記
Describes a sharpness that can be pleasant or simply strong, rather than one that is unpleasantly bitter or sour. Often used for ginger, mustard, aged cheese, vinegar, or pine.