noun
huff
huhf
Huff (noun) means a fit of annoyance or offended pride. Example: “She stormed off in a huff after losing the argument.”
noun
1
A fit of annoyance or offended pride.
"She stormed off in a huff after losing the argument."
verb
1
To breathe out heavily, especially in annoyance or exertion.
"He huffed and puffed as he climbed the stairs."
"She huffed loudly when told to wait her turn."
2
To react with irritation or wounded pride.
"He huffed at the suggestion that he was wrong."
3
(slang) To inhale a substance, especially a solvent, to get high.
"The article warned parents about teens huffing aerosol cans."
How to use huff
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo breathe out sharply in annoyance, or to be visibly irritated — also slang for inhaling drugs from an aerosol.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the everyday sense (annoyance) with the drug-related slang sense — context makes the difference clear.
Common pairings
huff and puff
in a huff
huff loudly
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Word forms
- Plural
- huffs
- Third person singular
- huffs
- Past tense
- huffed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She stormed off in a _____ after losing the argument.
Etymology
Probably an altered form of an older word meaning "to breathe hard, pant," related to a similar German word for breathing heavily.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for huff
See all rhymes for huff →Frequently asked questions
What does “huff” mean?
The word “huff” means a fit of annoyance or offended pride. In plain terms, to breathe out sharply in annoyance, or to be visibly irritated — also slang for inhaling drugs from an aerosol.
How do you pronounce “huff”?
“Huff” is pronounced huhf (/hʌf/ in IPA).
How do you use “huff” in a sentence?
Here is “huff” used in a sentence: “She stormed off in a huff after losing the argument.”
What part of speech is “huff”?
Depending on how it is used, “huff” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “huff” come from?
The word “huff” comes from German. Probably an altered form of an older word meaning "to breathe hard, pant," related to a similar German word for breathing heavily.
How many meanings does “huff” have?
“Huff” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fit of annoyance or offended pride.
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