What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tetchy
Example
She's been tetchy all day, snapping at everyone who talks to her. [tetchy: adjective]
Example
The atmosphere in the room was tetchy, with everyone on edge. [tetchy: adjective]
testy
Example
He gets testy when he's hungry, so we always make sure to have snacks on hand. [testy: adjective]
Example
The meeting was getting testy, with people starting to argue and raise their voices. [testy: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Testy is more commonly used than tetchy in everyday language, especially in American English.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tetchy and testy?
Both words are informal and are not typically used in formal contexts.
