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springy

UK/ˈspɹɪŋi/US/ˈspɹɪŋi/
adjectiveB2+Rare in speech; mostly a word you read · #14,034 of 15,258neutral

Springy means returning to shape after being pressed. A springy mattress, springy turf, a springy step.

The test for bread and for cake is exactly this: press it and see whether it comes back, since a springy crumb means it is cooked and a dent means it is not. A springy step is a sign of energy. Turf feels springy because of the mat of roots under it.

Definitions of springy

  1. 1adjectivespringyReturning to shape after being pressed.B2+

    “The mattress was new and springy, and the kids loved bouncing on it.”

springy is a quality of texture.

Where it comes from

  1. Proto-Indo-European

    *spre(n)ǵʰ- — to move, race, spring

  2. Proto-Germanic

    *springaną — to burst forth

  3. Proto-West Germanic

    *springan

  4. Old English

    springan — to spring, leap, bounce, sprout forth, emerge, spread out

  5. Middle English

    springen

  6. English

    spring

  7. English, today

    springy

Built from

  • *sperǵʰ- · Proto-Indo-European — to hurry

From spring + -y. spring comes from Middle English springen, from Old English springan (“to spring, leap, bounce, sprout forth, emerge, spread out”), from Proto-West Germanic springan, from Proto-Germanic springaną (“to burst forth”), from Proto-Indo-European spre(n)ǵʰ- (“to move, race, spring”), from sperǵʰ- (“to hurry”). 2

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA

Practised in Texture & Touch

Practise this word

springy in the wild

  • Lucet cord is square, strong, and slightly springy.

    Lucet

  • The butt is fitted with a springy rubber pad to diminish felt recoil.

    DP-64

  • Other foods where this is an important part of the experience of eating include springy cheeses and apples.

    Chewiness

  • The steel used is generally a medium- to high-carbon variety and very hard and springy.

    Wire brush

  • When young it is springy and mild but as it matures subtle sweet flavours develop and the texture becomes firmer.

    Derby cheese

1 / 2

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. These sentences were written by other people about their own subjects; they are here to show the word at work, not as anybody’s opinion.

Related words

the springan family

spring

springy — used about once every 33,333 pages · #14,034 · point at the bar for the others

  • offspring