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

---

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 )

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

• huffily adverb
• huffiness noun
• huffish adjective

Etymology

Origin of huff

1575–85; imitative; puff

Example Sentences

“That’s easy for you to say,” he muttered in a huff.

From Literature

After a suit-and-tie celebration, which neither seems too celebratory about, Shane leaves his hotel room in a huff and escapes to the hotel gym for a late night stationary bike ride.

From Salon

“Art is about building a new foundation, not just laying something on top of what’s already there,” Prince famously huffed to Billboard in 2013.

From Salon

Aunt Melissa huffs but turns to her salad.

From Literature

He let out a little huff, but then waved his paw in a very dramatic gesture.

From Literature

Related Words

• heave
• puff