spiffy

[ spif-ee ]

/ ˈspɪf i /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for spiffy on Thesaurus.com

adjective, spiff·i·er, spiff·i·est.Informal.

spruce; smart; fine.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also spif·fing

[spif-ing]; /ˈspɪf ɪŋ/; especially British, spivvy, spivving.

Origin of spiffy

1855–60; dial. spiff well-dressed (origin uncertain) + -y¹

OTHER WORDS FROM spiffy

spiff·i·ly, adverbspiff·i·ness, noun

Words nearby spiffy

spieler, spier, spif, spiff, spiffing, spiffy, spiflicate, spignel, spigot, spik, spike

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use spiffy in a sentence

He bought a condo in a spiffy new gated complex on the southern side of Kyiv and they moved in right in time for a baby girl to be born in October.
What It’s Like for Ukrainians Forced to Flee Russian Invasions Twice in 8 Years|Sasha Vasilyuk|March 31, 2022|Time
In the early ’90s, they were brick-sized gadgets with spiffy antennae—now they fit in our hands and can recognize our faces.
Breast pumps have barely evolved, but you can still make them better|Alexandra Frost|January 26, 2022|Popular-Science
You want to make sure that your spiffy new router can actually achieve that top speed you’ve been hoping to achieve.
Best gaming routers: Don’t let lag get in the way of a good time|Will Fulton|October 7, 2021|Popular-Science
Assembly is required, but when you’re done, you’ve got a spiffy piece of furniture that no one will know houses your stinky shoes.
Best shoe rack: Behold these versatile shoe storage options|PopSci Commerce Team|March 17, 2021|Popular-Science

While slightly spiffier, the advertising angle doesn’t seem to have changed much either.
The Rise and Fall of the Rice Cake, America’s One-Time Favorite Health Snack|Brenna Houck|September 17, 2020|Eater
In a spiffy gray suit, POTUS pedals like a champion—all for the sake of science.
Cookie Monster, Joe Biden and More of the White House’s Strangest Vine Posts|Kelsey Meany|June 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Spiffy says they will both fail, because Staggerton has not the means of having them properly brought out.
Piccadilly|Laurence Oliphant
I shall not enter into the particulars of what passed between Spiffy and myself on this occasion.
Piccadilly|Laurence Oliphant
To describe all Spiffy's exertions in the Bodwinkle cause for some days prior to the ball would be impossible.
Piccadilly|Laurence Oliphant
Spiffy gave me some curious statistics about invitations and the means employed to obtain them.
Piccadilly|Laurence Oliphant
Bodwinkle shook his head sulkily, and Spiffy, seeing me, adroitly turned the conversation.
Piccadilly|Laurence Oliphant

British Dictionary definitions for spiffy

spiffy

/ (ˈspɪfɪ) /

adjective -fier or -fiest

US and Canadian slang smart; stylish

Derived forms of spiffy

spiffily, adverbspiffiness, noun

Word Origin for spiffy

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

spiffy

Origin of spiffy

OTHER WORDS FROM spiffy

Words nearby spiffy

Words related to spiffy

How to use spiffy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for spiffy

Derived forms of spiffy

Word Origin for spiffy