adjective
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stuffy
STUH-fee
Stuffy (adjective) means lacking fresh air; poorly ventilated and uncomfortably warm. Example: “The room got stuffy with all the windows closed.”
adjective
1
Lacking fresh air; poorly ventilated and uncomfortably warm.
"The room got stuffy with all the windows closed."
2
Overly formal, old-fashioned, or self-important.
"He found the dinner party full of stuffy academics."
3
Blocked or congested, especially referring to the nose.
"Her cold left her with a stuffy nose all week."
How to use stuffy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes a badly ventilated room, an overly formal person, or a blocked nose.
Common pairings
stuffy nose
stuffy room
stuffy old man
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Word forms
- Plural
- stuffies
- Comparative
- stuffier
- Superlative
- stuffiest
Fill the gap
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The room got _____ with all the windows closed.
Etymology
From stuff + the adjective-forming suffix -y, originally describing a room that felt "stuffed up" with stale air.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for stuffy
See all rhymes for stuffy →Frequently asked questions
What does “stuffy” mean?
The word “stuffy” means lacking fresh air; poorly ventilated and uncomfortably warm. In plain terms, describes a badly ventilated room, an overly formal person, or a blocked nose.
How do you pronounce “stuffy”?
“Stuffy” is pronounced STUH-fee (/ˈstʌfi/ in IPA).
How do you use “stuffy” in a sentence?
Here is “stuffy” used in a sentence: “The room got stuffy with all the windows closed.”
What part of speech is “stuffy”?
“Stuffy” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “stuffy” have?
“Stuffy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: lacking fresh air; poorly ventilated and uncomfortably warm.
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