Hoppy

Part of speech: adjective, noun

Pronunciation: /ˈhɒpi/

Definitions

1. Characterized by a strong presence of hop taste or smell, typically used to describe beer
2. Describes the noticeable bitterness and aromatic qualities derived from hops in beverages
3. Refers to a prominent hop-derived flavor and scent, especially in craft or specialty beers

Etymology: Hops, the flowers of a climbing plant, have been brewed into beer for centuries, and "hoppy" is simply the adjective built from that noun by adding the suffix "-y". The suffix is ancient and ordinary: it passed down from Old English "-ig", which gave the sense "full of" or "having the qualities of", so "hoppy" means "having the qualities of hops". Other English words built the same way include "milky" and "stony". The noun "hop" itself is much older than the beverage it flavours. Its roots run back through Germanic languages, and the plant was cultivated in parts of Europe long before the word took on its modern association with bitterness in beer. The adjective therefore tracks the flavour that hops bring to a drink rather than the plant alone.