snuffy

American  

[snuhf-ee] / ˈsnʌf i /

adjective

snuffier, snuffiest

1. resembling snuff.

2. soiled with snuff.

3. given to the use of snuff.

4. having an unpleasant appearance.

5. having hurt feelings.

6. easily displeased.

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snuffy British  

/ ˈsnʌfɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling snuff

2. covered with or smelling of snuff

3. unpleasant; disagreeable

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Other Word Forms

• snuffiness
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of snuffy

First recorded in 1780–90; snuff ¹ + -y ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

snuffy snuffiest

Born in 1885, in a grimy coal-mining village in Nottingham shire, Lawrence soon grew, as he himself said, into "a delicate pale brat with a snuffy nose" who "trotted after his mother like a shadow."

From Time Magazine Archive

Oh, Page, you are so ridiculous to make up all of that about two snuffy old ladies.

From Tripping with the Tucker Twins by Nell Speed

Of course, he isn't bad, when you know him; but he's liable to be pretty snuffy after running out so long.

From The Ranch at the Wolverine by B. M. Bower

"I hav notin to say wit him more," and he took a huge pinch of snuff, and wasted a deal on his snuffy waistcoat and shirt frill.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 59, No. 368, June 1846 by Various

Jean François says there isn't any greater creative force in this world for pity than a very tearful, snuffy, turned-up, little girl-nose.

From Memories of a Musical Life by William Mason

“My sister-in-law’s guardian is an American artist with eccentric ideas about educating girls to see every phase of life,” said Judy in the stuffiest, snuffiest kind of voice.

From The Claw by Cynthia Stockley

As for the Boston people, they resembled our good townsmen of Tryon County somewhat, though their clothes were of a more elegant cut, and even the snuffiest of them wore lace and buckles.

From Cardigan by Robert W. (Robert William) Chambers

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