tetchy
gb/tˈɛt͡ʃi/ us/tˈɛt͡ʃi/
C1
English
ingerlékeny, kényes, érzékeny
C1
1
ingerlékeny
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is tetchy (about [something])
He was a little tetchy after the long flight and snapped at the receptionist.
A hosszú repülőút után kissé ingerlékeny volt, és ráförmedt a recepciósra.
Try not to ask her about the deadline today—she’s been tetchy all morning.
Ma inkább ne kérdezd a határidőről – egész délelőtt ingerlékeny volt.
The kids get tetchy when they haven’t eaten.
Learner examples
I feel tetchy when I am tired.
Ingerlékeny vagyok, amikor fáradt vagyok.
He was tetchy and spoke loudly.
Ingerlékeny volt, és hangosan beszélt.
Common mistake:
Don’t use it for 'dangerous' or 'serious'; it usually means 'easily irritated' rather than 'high risk.'
Meaning
easily annoyed or impatient
Collocations
a tetchy mood
|a bit tetchy
|tetchy with someone
|tetchy about something
|tetchy and impatient
|tetchy and tired
|increasingly tetchy
|rather tetchy
|tetchy remarks
|tetchy behaviour
Synonyms
irritable (More general and common; less suggestive of touchiness.)
|
touchy (Emphasizes being easily offended by particular topics.)
|
snappy (Focuses on speaking sharply or rudely.)
|
short-tempered (Stronger; suggests a quick, intense temper.)
Antonyms
easygoing (Not easily upset; relaxed.)
|
patient (Able to tolerate delays or problems without getting annoyed.)
|
calm (Not showing irritation or anger.)
Themes
emotions
|personality
|relationships
|daily_life
Definition
easily angry or upset
Easily irritated, offended, or upset, often reacting sharply to small problems or comments.
C1
2
Usage pattern:
a tetchy [topic/issue/situation]
Pay is a tetchy subject in this office, so people avoid talking about it.
A fizetés kényes téma ebben az irodában, ezért az emberek kerülik, hogy beszéljenek róla.
They postponed the discussion because it was a tetchy issue and tempers were already high.
Elhalasztották a megbeszélést, mert ez kényes kérdés volt, és a hangulat már amúgy is feszült volt.
It’s a tetchy situation, and one careless comment could make it worse.
Learner examples
Money can be a tetchy topic.
A pénz kényes téma lehet.
That question is tetchy, so be careful.
Ez kényes kérdés, ezért légy óvatos.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'sketchy' (suspicious) or 'touchy-feely' (showing emotions).
Meaning
sensitive or delicate topic
Collocations
a tetchy subject
|a tetchy issue
|a tetchy topic
|a tetchy situation
|a tetchy relationship
|a tetchy question
|a politically tetchy matter
|a tetchy negotiation
Synonyms
sensitive (More neutral; doesn’t always imply annoyance or anger.)
|
delicate (Emphasizes needing tact rather than irritation.)
|
touchy (Very close; often used for topics that upset people easily.)
Antonyms
straightforward (Not likely to cause offence; easy to discuss.)
|
uncontroversial (Not causing disagreement or strong reactions.)
Themes
communication
|social_issues
|work
Definition
sensitive and easy to cause arguments
Likely to cause irritation or offence; requiring careful handling because people may react badly.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tetchy
IPA
GB/tˈɛt͡ʃi/
US/tˈɛt͡ʃi/
Syllables & stress
tetchy (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (tetchy)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: tetchy
- Comparative: tetchier
- Superlative: tetchiest
Expressions
a bit tetchy
1/ə bˈɪt tˈɛt͡ʃi/
fixed phrase
slightly irritable
a little angry or annoyed
Examples
- She’s a bit tetchy today—maybe give her some space.
- Sorry if I sounded rude; I’m a bit tetchy after that meeting.
- He was a bit tetchy at breakfast and didn’t want to talk.
Learner examples
- He is a bit tetchy today.
get tetchy
1/ɡˈɛt tˈɛt͡ʃi/
fixed phrase
become easily annoyed
to start feeling easily angry
Examples
- I get tetchy if I haven’t slept enough.
- He gets tetchy when people interrupt him.
- The team got tetchy as the deadline got closer.
Learner examples
- I get tetchy when I am hungry.
tetchy about [something]
1/tˈɛt͡ʃi əbˈaʊt sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
easily upset about topic
easily upset when people talk about something
Examples
- He’s tetchy about his age, so don’t bring it up.
- She gets tetchy about money when she’s stressed.
- They’re tetchy about criticism, even when it’s constructive.
Learner examples
- She is tetchy about her weight.