huff

American  

[huhf] / hʌf /

noun

1. a mood of sulking anger; a fit of resentment.

   Just because you disagree, don't walk off in a huff.

   Synonyms:

   pet, pic, passion, temper

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verb (used with object)

1. to give offense to; make angry.

2. to treat with arrogance or contempt; bluster at; hector or bully.

3. Checkers. to remove (a piece) from the board as a penalty for failing to make a compulsory capture.

4. Slang. to inhale the vapors of in order to become intoxicated.

   to huff glue.

verb (used without object)

1. to take offense; speak indignantly.

2. to puff or blow; breathe heavily.

3. to swell with pride or arrogance; swagger or bluster.

huff British  

/ hʌf /

noun

1. a passing mood of anger or pique (esp in the phrase in a huff )

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verb

1. to make or become angry or resentful

2. (intr) to blow or puff heavily

3. Also: blow.  draughts to remove (an opponent's draught) from the board for failure to make a capture

4. obsolete (tr) to bully

5. empty threats or objections; bluster

huff Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing huff

• in a huff

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Other Word Forms

• huffily
  adverb
• huffiness
  noun
• huffish
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of huff

1575–85; imitative; see puff

Explanation

If you're in a huff, you're visibly annoyed or offended. Another kind of huff is to exhale. When the Big Bad Wolf was in a huff, he threatened, "Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in!" People tend to flounce out of a room in a huff or storm away in a huff. If your soccer coach calls you off the field for being unsportsmanlike, you might be tempted to stomp off in a huff, convincing her that she was right. You could also describe this state as being "miffed" or "in a snit" or "in a fit of pique." In all cases, your irritation is obvious. Another meaning of huff is to exhale or blow loudly, especially from exertion. At the end of a marathon, you might huff and puff with exhaustion, but you'll be glad to pass the finish line.

Example Sentences

Huff: It’s always great to see the artwork in person, as opposed to online or on LACMA’s Instagram, and the colors are so vivid.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

As truth-telling victims, mezzo Michelle Mariposa was staunch and gentle as Rebecca Nurse while Nicholas Huff brought a vigorous, exciting tenor to Giles Corey.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

“The President has been briefed on findings of shortcomings in election infrastructure,” Huff wrote.

From Salon • Mar. 3, 2026

Mr. Huff has served as a lawyer in the first Trump White House and the House and Senate judiciary committees.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 15, 2025

From Sam Huff: People pay money to see great hits.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

Related Words

• heave
• puff