naff
Americanadjective
verb (used without object)
verb phrase
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of naff
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
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.
It's the type of film that would be a bit naff at any other time of year, but is a lot of fun at Christmas.
From BBC ● Dec. 13, 2025
But one senior Leave-supporting Tory is unimpressed, describing the role's creation as "naff" and "desperate" more than two years on from the 2019 general election.
From BBC ● Feb. 9, 2022
And certainly, VF has a good track record with its outdoor/workwear brands, which have gone from naff to cool.
From New York Times ● Nov. 10, 2020
They’re a culinary joke, unrefined, a bit naff.
From The Guardian ● May 8, 2020
“No. Nothing like that. There’s food on board. It’s mostly pretty naff — soy protein bars and freeze-dried noodles and whatnot. But its a change from coconut and fish for you.”
From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
