naff

[ naf ]

adjective

1. unstylish; lacking taste; inferior.

verb (used without object)

1. to goof off; fool around (often followed by around or about ).

verb phrase

1. go away: used as an exclamation of impatience.

naff

/ næf /

adjective

1. slang.
   inferior; in poor taste

Derived Forms

• ˈnaffness, noun

Other Words From

• naffness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of naff¹

First recorded in 1955–60, for an earlier sense; perhaps via Polari from Italian, for the adjective; perhaps a corruption of either eff ( def ) or fanny ( def ), for the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of naff¹

C19: perhaps back slang for fan, short for fanny

Example Sentences

I realize it sounds so naff as I’m saying it to you, but they had people in tears.

From Time