spiff
1 Americanverb (used with object)
noun
verb (used with object)
Etymology
Origin of spiff1
1875–80; perhaps v. use of dial. spiff well-dressed; see spiffy
Origin of spiff2
First recorded in 1855–60; origin uncertain
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.
Elsewhere Mr. Jones describes “the spiff of excess air” from a pressure valve, “the horrible graunch of the car door” and “the prip prip prip of postage stamps parting from their perforations.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025
What if we could eliminate many unruly passenger incidents by simply suggesting that passengers spiff up a little before they leave for the airport?
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 19, 2023
Musk got a win last week, when the judge let him spiff up his case against Twitter, which he has been making up as he’s gone along, to include recent whistleblower charges against the company.
From Slate ● Sep. 12, 2022
The lender claims he is owed more than $130 million in secured debt, including money he provided in bankruptcy to repair and spiff up the property for sale.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 3, 2022
The Washburns hire two gardeners, who spiff up the grounds.
From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez
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.
