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; 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

Never having to huff your own engine exhaust is even better—you just don’t notice how smelly gas cars can be until you’ve been out of one for a while.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

The quip came up during a rapid-fire rundown of recent "SNL" controversies, including spats with Aimee Lou Wood and Morgan Wallen's post-show huff.

From Salon • Apr. 24, 2025

Yes, spectacular squabbling siblings Oasis are back after their 15-year huff, ready to go Supersonic all over again.

From BBC • Dec. 31, 2024

I love being able to stand on the bike and huff and puff up or down the hill.

From New York Times • Nov. 23, 2024

With a disgusted huff, the Governor let go of Nok's wrist and sat back in his chair.

From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat

Related Words

• heave
• puff