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Synonyms

huffy

American  
[huhf-ee] / ˈhʌf i /

adjective

huffier, huffiest
  1. easily offended; touchy.

  2. offended; sulky.

    a huffy mood.

    Synonyms:
    petulant, resentful, sullen, surly
  3. snobbish; haughty.


Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of huffy

First recorded in 1670–80; huff + -y 1

Explanation

Don’t get all huffy, or offended or irritated, just because you didn’t know this definition. Like the wolf who huffed and puffed, anyone who’s huffy is easily upset. If everything you say to your sister seems to make her mad or hurt her feelings, you could say, "Stop being so huffy!" A huffy person might blow the hair off her forehead and stomp away. Don’t get mad, but Huffy is also the brand name of a cool bicycle. This adjective has been around since the 1600s, from huff, which first meant "exhale," and later "bluster with indignation."

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Vocabulary lists containing huffy

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.

Compare them to the grizzled, huffy statesmen who previously played those roles, especially in the 2002 ITV adaptation.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026

They could also vote on huffy resolutions declaring their distaste for Boasberg et al.

From Slate • Mar. 22, 2025

However, five weeks later she developed "huffy" breathing and in the days following was diagnosed with GBS after deteriorating in hospital.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2024

During the course of the TV show “Frasier,” its main character was described as pompous, loquacious, overanalytical, pushy, pretentious, bossy, huffy, vain … and those are just the words used by his loved ones.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 27, 2023

Sometimes Grandma even stood by, listening to the entire conversation, with arms folded and a huffy attitude.

From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals

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