huff

[huhf]

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

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

/ hʌf /

noun

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

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

Other Word Forms

• huffish adjective
• huffiness noun
• huffily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of huff¹

1575–85; imitative; puff

Word History and Origins

Origin of huff¹

C16: of imitative origin; compare _puff

Idioms and Phrases

• in a huff

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, Johnson’s Kerr huffs up a set of stairs in a training montage that already belongs to “Rocky.”

From Los Angeles Times

I was at their Champions League win over Villarreal when they huffed and puffed but still got the job done.

From BBC

But, in truth, they were huffing and puffing before that moment of madness made life even more difficult.

From BBC

New Zealand huffed, puffed and improved in the second half, but were never able to inject jeopardy back into the contest.

From BBC

DAMASCUS, Syria — Standing in the dilapidated ATM hall of his bank, Maher Elias huffed a sigh equal parts exasperation and exhaustion.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• heave 
• puff