jiffy
[ jif-ee ]
/ ˈdʒɪf i /
Save This Word!
noun, plural jif·fies.Informal.
a very short time; moment: to get dressed in a jiffy.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Also jiff [jif]. /dʒɪf/.
Origin of jiffy
First recorded in 1770–80; origin uncertain
Words nearby jiffy
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for jiffy
British Dictionary definitions for jiffy
jiffy
jiff (dʒɪf)
/ (ˈdʒɪfɪ) /
noun plural jiffies or jiffs
informal a very short timewait a jiffy
Word Origin for jiffy
C18: of unknown origin
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
Idioms and Phrases with jiffy
jiffy
see under in a flash.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.