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

Example Sentences

He huffed out a sigh and moved away from me, to the armchair.

From Literature

He steadied himself on the walls on either side, huffing and puffing and quite worried he was going to blow the house down, when, at last, the stairs flattened into a wide room.

From Literature

“Now wait a minute,” he huffed, trying to catch his breath.

From Literature

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

I slow down a little, and Jonah huffs out, “Oh, thank God,” as he slows down, too.

From Literature

Related Words

• heave
• puff