Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • transitive verb To cause to be annoyed or resentful. synonym: annoy.
  • noun A vexation; a grievance.
  • noun A resentful mood.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun An annoyance or grievance.
  • verb To annoy; vex.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun an annoyed or irritated mood
  • verb cause to be annoyed, irritated, or resentful

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Back-formation from peevish.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Back-formation from peevish.

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Examples

Comments

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  • I don't like this word ... so why do I use it?

    January 6, 2008

  • I don't either--but oddly, I do like peeved. Hmm.

    January 7, 2008

  • It's the balance of vowels and consonants. Peevedness isn't as good as peeved either.

    January 8, 2008

  • Good point. :-)

    January 8, 2008