tiff

[ tif ]

/ tɪf /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR tiff ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a slight or petty quarrel.

a slight fit of annoyance, bad mood, or the like.

verb (used without object)

to have a petty quarrel.

to be in a tiff.

Nearby words

Origin of tiff

First recorded in 1720–30; origin uncertain

SYNONYMS FOR tiff

1. spat, scrap, misunderstanding, difference.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR tiff ON THESAURUS.COM

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for tiff

In honor of his latest film, ‘The Green Inferno,’ which made its premiere at TIFF, the director reveals his favorite movie kills.
Eli Roth, Director of ‘The Green Inferno,’ On His Favorite Bloody Movie Kills|Eli Roth|September 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
On battling with Lionsgate at TIFF '13 for Can a Song Save Your Life?
Harvey Weinstein Discusses His Career Highs and Lows with Tina Brown at TIFF|Marlow Stern|September 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He sits down with Marlow Stern at TIFF to discuss the gender-bending role, his own struggle with drugs, and ‘My So-Called Life.’
Jared Leto on His Brilliant Performance as a Transsexual in ‘Dallas Buyers Club’|Marlow Stern|September 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
She spoke with Marlow Stern at TIFF about the role, and politics.
Susan Sarandon On ‘The Last of Robin Hood,’ NYC Mayor's Race, Being Hacked, More|Marlow Stern|September 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST

He sat down with The Daily Beast at TIFF to discuss his myriad projects.
Tom Hiddleston On His Rocker-Vampire in ‘Only Lovers Left Alive,’ ‘Thor 2,’ and ‘Avengers 2’|Marlow Stern|September 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Her ladyship is in a bit of a tiff—oh, not much; she'll be herself by this evening.
Wild Heather|L. T. Meade
The first tiff in love, as the first fault in friendship, is the only one of which we are able to make good use.
The 'Characters' of Jean de La Bruyre|Jean de La Bruyre
We may have a tiff with the States once in a while; but there are too many Canadians there now!
Down the River to the Sea|Agnes Maule Machar
I say, Flossie, have you and Rickets been 'aving a bit of a tiff?
The Divine Fire|May Sinclair
Dull as Tiff is—and its dulness is quite remarkable—it does not deserve so detestable a binding.
Reviews|Oscar Wilde

British Dictionary definitions for tiff

tiff

/ (tɪf) /

noun

a petty quarrel

a fit of ill humour

verb

(intr) to have or be in a tiff

Word Origin for tiff

C18: of unknown origin

noun

archaic a small draught of alcoholic drink; dram

Word Origin for tiff

C18: see tiffin

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 tiff

tiff

1727, "outburst of temper," later "small quarrel" (1754), of uncertain origin; OED suggests imitative, "from the sound of a slight puff of air or gas."