noun

tiff

tihf

Tiff (noun) means a minor argument or quarrel. Example: “The couple had a little tiff over whose turn it was to cook.”

noun

A minor argument or quarrel.

"The couple had a little tiff over whose turn it was to cook."

"They made up quickly after their tiff."

verb

To have a minor argument or disagreement.

"The two sisters tiffed over the last slice of cake."

How to use tiff

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small, usually short-lived argument.

When to use it

Informal — used for petty squabbles, not serious conflicts.

Common pairings

a little tiff have a tiff

Word forms

tiffed past tense, tiffed past tense, tiffed past tense, tiffed past tense, tiffs plural, tiffs plural, tiffs plural, TIFFs plural, Tiffs plural, tiffs singular, tiffs singular, tiffs singular, tiffs singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The couple had a little _____ over whose turn it was to cook.

Etymology

Origin unclear, possibly imitating the sound of a small huff or puff of irritation.

Synonyms

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fuss spat bicker squabble bickering pettifoggery

Related words

words trouble argue bother dispute Larry arguing fuss

Rhymes for tiff

biff riff diff jiff stiff cliff sniff whiff skiff Griff spliff Schiff

See all rhymes for tiff →

Frequently asked questions

What does “tiff” mean?

The word “tiff” means a minor argument or quarrel. In plain terms, a small, usually short-lived argument.

How do you pronounce “tiff”?

“Tiff” is pronounced tihf (/tɪf/ in IPA).

How do you use “tiff” in a sentence?

Here is “tiff” used in a sentence: “The couple had a little tiff over whose turn it was to cook.”

What part of speech is “tiff”?

Depending on how it is used, “tiff” can be a noun and a verb.

How many meanings does “tiff” have?

“Tiff” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a minor argument or quarrel.

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words trouble argue bother dispute Larry arguing fuss