tiff
Americannoun
-
a slight or petty quarrel.
- Synonyms:
- difference, misunderstanding, scrap, spat
-
a slight fit of annoyance, bad mood, or the like.
verb (used without object)
-
to have a petty quarrel.
-
to be in a tiff.
noun
-
a petty quarrel
-
a fit of ill humour
verb
noun
Etymology
Origin of tiff
First recorded in 1720–30; origin uncertain
Explanation
A tiff is a minor, relatively unimportant argument or fight. A tiff with your brother might start over the subject of whose turn it is to take out the trash. It's no fun to have a tiff with someone, but it's usually resolved or forgotten easily. When you have a tiff with a friend, it's inevitably a squabble over some silly topic, and if you bicker with your boyfriend, you can call it a "lovers' tiff." In the 1700s, a tiff was an "outburst of temper," from an unknown source. Some word experts suggest the word echoes the sound of a "puff of air or gas."
Vocabulary lists containing tiff
The Catcher in the Rye
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Never Let Me Go
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Peter Pan
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Tiff Macklem said officials would act quickly should evidence emerge that the impact from higher energy prices begins to spread beyond gas stations to other goods and services.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026
OTTAWA—Bank of Canada Gov. Tiff Macklem said policymakers believe that inflation would peak in April before gradually easing toward its 2% target by early 2027.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026
Bank of Canada Gov. Tiff Macklem expressed concern about medium-term inflation expectations, not near-term energy price sensitivity.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026
The seven-member governing council, led by Gov. Tiff Macklem, sets interest-rate policy and ensures financial-system stability.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026
Tiff any and his men had carried these guns from Siboney to the firing-line upon their backs.
From History of the Gatling Gun Detachment, Fifth Army Corps, at Santiago With a Few Unvarnished Truths Concerning that Expedition by Parker, John H. (John Henry)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
