huff

[ huhf ]

/ hʌf /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: huff / huffed on Thesaurus.com

noun

a mood of sulking anger; a fit of resentment: Just because you disagree, don't walk off in a huff.

verb (used with object)

to give offense to; make angry.

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

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

Slang. to inhale the vapors of in order to become intoxicated: to huff glue.

verb (used without object)

to take offense; speak indignantly.

to puff or blow; breathe heavily.

to swell with pride or arrogance; swagger or bluster.

OTHER WORDS FOR huff

1 temper, passion, pic, pet.

See synonyms for huff on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of huff

1575–85; imitative; see puff

Words nearby huff

Huerta, Huesca, huevos rancheros, Huey, Hueytown, huff, huff and puff, Huff-Duff, huffing, huffish, huffy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use huff in a sentence

It was completely quiet except for the whir of my cassette and the huff of my own breathing, my bike rolling over the slickrock and striated sandstone.
Why We Should Be Turning Former Mines into Trails|Heather Hansman|May 29, 2021|Outside Online
Meanwhile, Godzilla leaves Florida in a huff and makes his way to Hong Kong, on the way encountering King Kong, who is being transported to a Hollow Earth portal by boat.
Godzilla vs. Kong Pairs Two Formidable Monster Foes—Too Bad About the People|Stephanie Zacharek|March 31, 2021|Time
Walking out in a huff would be rude, which is why you will be discovering unavoidable conflicts, for which you will apologize on your way out the door.
Miss Manners: Get out of Dodge before the abusive mother-in-law visits|Judith Martin, Nicholas Martin, Jacobina Martin|February 25, 2021|Washington Post
With that, he took a huff off a morning joint and moved into the throng of jovial patrons.
A Report From the Misunderstood Gathering of the Juggalos|Steve Miller|July 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

So we salute you, Mr. Fielder, even as we continue to huff and puff at the gym in pursuit of those rippling ridges.
Prince Fielder’s Demi Moore Moment: World Loses It Over Athlete Without Six-Pack|Tim Teeman|July 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In response, Smith quit the party in a huff that July, trashing it as insufficiently principled on his way out the door.
Sen. Bob Smith: The Thing That Wouldn’t Leave|Michelle Cottle|December 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In elementary school, children will disagree and fight, then storm away in a huff and simply ignore each other.
Was It Irresponsible of Israel to Apologize to Turkey?|Brent E. Sasley|May 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Her grandmother, Elisabeth Huff, saw her last week, at her birthday party.
What Amanda Knox Is Up to Now|Winston Ross, Barbie Latza Nadeau|March 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Their capital was limited and Mr. Young gave Mr. Huff his note for seven thousand dollars for a half interest in the business.
Lyman's History of old Walla Walla County, Vol. 2 (of 2)|William Denison Lyman
Oh, no, he went off in a terrible huff because the girls laid their plans before him and told him what they were going to do.
The Beauty|Mrs. Wilson Woodrow
And the Colonel was so devoted to her, he might go off in a huff as poor Job Manning had done, and stand it out to the bitter end.
Hubert's Wife|Minnie Mary Lee
He's gone off in a huff about something; never mind, luncheon comes up all the same.
The Rector|Mrs. (Margaret) Oliphant
Patrick may perhaps fume and get into a huff about it, but who cares for Patrick?
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 69, No. 423, January 1851|Various

British Dictionary definitions for huff

huff

/ (hʌf) /

noun

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

verb

to make or become angry or resentful

(intr) to blow or puff heavily

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

(tr) obsolete to bully

huffing and puffing empty threats or objections; bluster

Derived forms of huff

huffish or huffy, adjectivehuffily or huffishly, adverbhuffiness or huffishness, noun

Word Origin for huff

C16: of imitative origin; compare puff

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with huff

huff

In addition to the idiom beginning with huff

huff and puff

also see:

in a huff

huff

OTHER WORDS FOR huff

Origin of huff

Words nearby huff

Words related to huff

How to use huff in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for huff

Derived forms of huff

Word Origin for huff

Other Idioms and Phrases with huff