jiffy

[ jif-ee ]

noun

, Informal.

, plural jif·fies.

1. a very short time; moment:

   to get dressed in a jiffy.

   Synonyms: trice, second, flash, instant

jiffy

/ ˈdʒɪfɪ; dʒɪf /

noun

1. informal.
   a very short time

   wait a jiffy

Word History and Origins

Origin of jiffy¹

First recorded in 1770–80; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of jiffy¹

C18: of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases

see under in a flash .

Example Sentences

Its versatile foldable design neatly folds into a space-saving single-device charger for your phone or earbuds if you lack workspace real estate, but you can easily bring it back to its three-fold state in a jiffy.

From Popular-Science

Per the makers, its level of difficulty is 5 out of 10, so it’s not easy enough that you’ll complete it in a jiffy, but not challenging enough that you’ll want to abandon it altogether.

From Popular-Science

In one recent week, a New Yorker got a free Covid-19 test in a jiffy, with results the next day, while a Coloradan had to shell out $50 for a test two cities from her hometown after a frantic round of pharmacy-hopping.

From Quartz

You can optimize and make Google work for you in a jiffy by adding these 15 Chrome Extensions to your browser today.

From Search Engine Watch

The GFY (pronounced “jiffy”) is essentially a more technologically advanced version of the ubiquitous GIF.

From The Daily Beast

You can be the leader of a Salvadoran death squad, and then manage a Jiffy Lube in North Miami.

From The Daily Beast

To this day, I pick up a box of Jiffy cornbread mix when shopping.

From The Daily Beast

The other, about Sting performing at Jiffy Lube Live, a concert venue in Bristow, Virginia.

From The Daily Beast

Oscar-winning director Barry Levinson says the Jiffy Lube logo makes more fiscal sense.

From The Daily Beast

Nets were run out in a jiffy, but I fear the big fish had already given them the slip.

From Project Gutenberg

The Rainbow won't appear until after the storm and I can make you big again in a jiffy, before I join my sisters on our bow.

From Project Gutenberg

A yardman let us in on the spur at the end of the headquarters building, and the boss was off in half a jiffy.

From Project Gutenberg

In a jiffy they had a real Trius-beating, for the hedge is high and firm and one can't get across it quickly.

From Project Gutenberg

His chums understood, and the remains of the feast were swept under bed covers in a jiffy.

From Project Gutenberg