quippy

1 8.1

Saying quick clever remarks that are often funny and a little sarcastic

adjective
/ˈkwɪpi/

: ingenioso

The comedian's quippy remarks kept the audience laughing throughout the show.

And as cute and quippy as this story might seem, this one really caught my attention.

Examples

I found myself laughing out loud throughout most of the book because Adams inserted more quippy little jokes into his narrative and changed his train of thought constantly.

Blog text (30)
And as cute and quippy as this story might seem, this one really caught my attention.

The Drew Barrymore Show
And as cute and quippy as this story might seem, this one really caught my attention.

The Drew Barrymore Show
- I thought that we were being quippy.

Paperback (2015)
The power of influencing others with a quippy e-card or meme is incredible.

Blog text (8)
She has a quippy sense of humor that makes even mundane conversations enjoyable.
His quippy response to the criticism was both clever and playful.

Synonyms

sarcastic

vsquippy

99 4.0

Using words that say the opposite of what you mean to mock or hurt someone

is more playful and light, using clever remarks rather than strong ridicule

witty

vsquippy

85 3.8

Quick clever remarks that make people laugh

is lighter and often playful rather than only clever or inventive

saucy

vsquippy

Informal

21 5.8

Being playful and a little rude in a way that teases people

is lighter and more cleverly playful rather than boldly cheeky

wry

vsquippy

21 7.5

Showing dry, slightly mocking humor and not taking things seriously

is generally more lively and playful rather than dryly ironic

alecky

vsquippy

Informal

2 9.5

Being cheeky and trying to be clever in a way that annoys others

tends to be more light clever remarks, not mainly rude or mocking

waggish

vsquippy

Literature

1 8.0

Playful and teasing in a light, joking way

leans more toward short clever remarks, sometimes sarcastic

zingingly witty

vsquippy

Informal

8.1

Using very sharp, clever words that make people laugh

is more gently playful or sarcastic rather than sharply striking

bantering

vsquippy

Informal

5.7

Friendly teasing that makes people laugh

tends to be quicker, punchier, and often more sarcastic or biting

jocose

vsquippy

Formal

8.7

Playful and joking to make people laugh

leans toward clever, often sharp or sarcastic remarks rather than gentle jokes

arch

vsquippy

Literature

7.9

Playfully teasing in a sly way

is more quick clever talk and often more openly sharp or sarcastic

sarky

vsquippy

9.9

To say mocking or rude things to tease someone

is generally lighter and more playfully clever rather than mainly mocking

How Witty

sharp

46 4.2

witty

85 3.8

quippy

1 8.1

dry

45 4.6

Surface Forms

quippy positive

Morphology

quippy = quip (transparent) = quip + y

The adjective is directly formed from 'quip' + the productive suffix '-y' meaning 'characterized by' or 'full of'.

Etymology

Quippy comes from the short English word quip, which means 'a clever or funny remark', plus the ending -y meaning 'full of' or 'having'. That's why quippy describes someone who often makes clever, playful, or slightly sharp comments.