Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

spiff1

[spif]
See more synonyms for spiff on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object) Informal.
  1. to make spiffy (usually followed by up): Let's spiff up this office with new furniture.
Show More

Origin of spiff1

1875–80; perhaps v. use of dial. spiff well-dressed; see spiffy

spiff2

[spif]Slang.
noun
  1. a bonus or other form of remuneration given to retail salespeople for promoting the products of a particular manufacturer.
Show More
verb (used with object)
  1. to reward (a salesperson) with a spiff.
Show More

Origin of spiff2

First recorded in 1855–60; origin uncertain

spiffy

[spif-ee]
adjective, spiff·i·er, spiff·i·est. Informal.
  1. spruce; smart; fine.
Show More
Also spif·fing [spif-ing] /ˈspɪf ɪŋ/; especially British, spivvy, spivving.

Origin of spiffy

1855–60; dial. spiff well-dressed (origin uncertain) + -y1
Related formsspiff·i·ly, adverbspiff·i·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for spiffing

Historical Examples

  • I've got a pair of spiffing caps for you; do for church if you like.

    His Majesty Baby and Some Common People

    Ian MacLaren

  • "Spiffing," agreed Iva, who was also inspecting the new acquisitions.

    A Fortunate Term

    Angela Brazil

  • It was impossible for any one to deny that such a thing would be spiffing in the very highest possible degree.

    Priscilla's Spies

    George A. Birmingham

British Dictionary definitions for spiffing

spiffing

adjective
  1. British slang, old-fashioned excellent; splendid
Show More

Word Origin

C19: probably from dialect spiff spruce, smartly dressed

spiffy

adjective -fier or -fiest
  1. US and Canadian slang smart; stylish
Show More
Derived Formsspiffily, adverbspiffiness, noun

Word Origin

C19: from dialect spiff
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for spiffing

spiffy

adj.

1853, of uncertain origin, probably related to spiff "well-dressed man." Spiffing "excellent" was very popular in 1870s slang. Uncertain relationship to spiff (n.) "percentage allowed by drapers to their young men when they effect sale of old fashioned or undesirable stock" (1859), or to spiflicate "confound, overcome completely," a cant word from 1749 preserved in American English slang spiflicated "drunk," first recorded 1906 in O.Henry.

Show More

spiff

v.

"make neat or spruce," 1877 (with up or out), probably from spiffy (q.v.). Related: Spiffed; spiffing.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper