Adjective

1. Having a punch; effective; forceful; spirited; vigorous.
2. Being over-reactive to routine events.
3. Behaving or appearing punch drunk

   I was so sleep deprived I was starting to get punchy.

4. A term used by Nordic skiers (especially skate skiers) to describe groomed snow that does not support the weight of a skier, especially when the skier’s weight is all on one ski. The term refers to the undesirable event of a ski punching through the surface of the snow, probably causing the skier to fall. The snow on a ski trail is most likely to be punchy on the day following a moderate or heavy snow storm.