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peckish

(colloquial) irritable; crotchety.

ˈpɛk.ɪʃhistoricalCurrent200 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇬🇧 British & Irish slang
2 definitions
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Seen in the wild
5 citations · last seen May 2026

Seen in the wild

Definitions

UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK

(colloquial) irritable; crotchety.

After that run, I'm feeling a bit peckish.
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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK

(colloquial, British) mildly hungry.

After that run, I'm feeling a bit peckish.
Origin: From . From late 18th century. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

Peckish means: mildly hungry.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up. For most families this word will pass by without incident; it is more a vocabulary curiosity than a parenting concern.

For ESL learners

peckish means: mildly hungry.. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.

Cluster: food_drink
Heard in the wild
  • “Absolute props to Lesley Manville for keeping an awards sausage to hand in case she gets peckish at the Tonys.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Someone please send me Donald Trump. I'm here right now. I'll just ... forget him in all that forest. The ice on the Hudson is breaking up, the occupants will be a little peckish, and not particularly choosy about their source of fat and calories.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “I'll get peckish within an hour 😩”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “FINALLY I have finished the fullbody example for my new price sheet!! 🌿 I am also planning on raising my costs a bit since my art style has heavily changed since early 2025 haha - //Peckish.paws🌀\\ - #furry #furryart #furryartist #furrycommission #furryfandom”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “What does it matter if we know about it or not? What will change? (Feeling a little peckish today.)”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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🇬🇧About British & Irish slang slang

UK and Irish slang — Cockney, Scouse, Geordie, Yorkshire, Glaswegian, Brummie, Welsh, West Country, plus Irish English. Centuries of regional dialects feeding into modern British and Irish street talk.

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