spiff

¹ American  

[spif] / spɪf /

verb (used with object)

Informal.

1. to make spiffy (usually followed byup ).

   Let's spiff up this office with new furniture.

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spiff ² American  

[spif] / spɪf /

noun

1. a bonus or other form of remuneration given to retail salespeople for promoting the products of a particular manufacturer.

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verb (used with object)

1. to reward (a salesperson) with a spiff.

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spiff

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

In late 1986, a book publisher — Harcourt Brace Jovanovich — bought Marineland, pledging to keep it going and even spiff it up.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2023

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

The most entertaining content comes from Jason Calacanis, the prominent Silicon Valley angel investor, who urged Musk to clean up Twitter’s bots and spam and spiff up its business.

From Slate ● Sep. 30, 2022

The Washburns hire two gardeners, who spiff up the grounds.

From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez

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Related Words

• classy
• dashing
• rakish
• spry
• stylish

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