adj

punchy

PUHNT-shee

Punchy (adj) means Forceful, direct, and effective, especially in writing or speech. Example: “The ad campaign used punchy, short slogans.”

adj

Forceful, direct, and effective, especially in writing or speech.

"The ad campaign used punchy, short slogans."

Dazed or slow-thinking, as if from being hit repeatedly.

"After the red-eye flight he felt punchy and slow."

How to use punchy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishForceful and to-the-point, or dazed and groggy.

Common pairings

punchy headline punchy dialogue

Word forms

punchier comparative, punchier comparative, punchiest superlative, punchiest superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The ad campaign used _____, short slogans.

Etymology

From punch (“short fat person”) + -y.

Rhymes for punchy

bunchy crunchy raunchy

See all rhymes for punchy →

Frequently asked questions

What does “punchy” mean?

The word “punchy” means forceful, direct, and effective, especially in writing or speech. In plain terms, forceful and to-the-point, or dazed and groggy.

How do you pronounce “punchy”?

“Punchy” is pronounced PUHNT-shee (/ˈpʌnt͡ʃi/ in IPA).

How do you use “punchy” in a sentence?

Here is “punchy” used in a sentence: “The ad campaign used punchy, short slogans.”

What part of speech is “punchy”?

“Punchy” is an adjective.

How many meanings does “punchy” have?

“Punchy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: forceful, direct, and effective, especially in writing or speech.