stifle
Stifle (verb) means to suppress or hold back something such as a sound, feeling, or reaction. Example: “She stifled a laugh during the funeral.”
How to use stifle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo hold something back so it cannot come out — a laugh, a cry, criticism, or even air itself.
Word forms
stifled past tense, stifled past tense, stifles plural, stifles plural, stifles singular, stifles singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ a laugh during the funeral.
Etymology
Traced back through Middle English "stuflen" to Old French "estouffer" ("to choke or suffocate"), the same root that gives modern French "étouffer".
Related words
Rhymes for stifle
See all rhymes for stifle →Frequently asked questions
What does “stifle” mean?
The word “stifle” means to suppress or hold back something such as a sound, feeling, or reaction. In plain terms, to hold something back so it cannot come out — a laugh, a cry, criticism, or even air itself.
How do you pronounce “stifle”?
“Stifle” is pronounced STYFL (/ˈstaɪf(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “stifle” in a sentence?
Here is “stifle” used in a sentence: “She stifled a laugh during the funeral.”
What part of speech is “stifle”?
Depending on how it is used, “stifle” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “stifle” come from?
The word “stifle” comes from Old French. Traced back through Middle English "stuflen" to Old French "estouffer" ("to choke or suffocate"), the same root that gives modern French "étouffer".
How many meanings does “stifle” have?
“Stifle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to suppress or hold back something such as a sound, feeling, or reaction.