naff

[ naf ]

adjective

1. unstylish; lacking taste; inferior.

verb (used without object)

1. to goof off; fool around (often followed by around or about ).

verb phrase

1. go away: used as an exclamation of impatience.

naff

/ næf /

adjective

1. slang.
   inferior; in poor taste

Derived Forms

• ˈnaffness, noun

Other Words From

• naffness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of naff¹

First recorded in 1955–60, for an earlier sense; perhaps via Polari from Italian, for the adjective; perhaps a corruption of either eff ( def ) or fanny ( def ), for the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of naff¹

C19: perhaps back slang for fan, short for fanny

Example Sentences

Giving a stark summary of Raymond McDonald, his mother says: "He's got naff all. He's a bloody big liar. I've had two nervous breakdowns because of him."

From BBC

“He was a bright engineer who talked a lot about his family, fiancée and future of being a husband and dad,” his supervisor Maria Naff wrote in an online tribute.

From Seattle Times

At other times in the year, we might be more critical of naff storylines, schmaltzy acts of love and out-of-date jokes, but at Christmas we allow ourselves to be lulled by Hugh Grant's earnest optimism that "if you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love, actually, is all around".

From BBC

Her grandfather Naff was less enamored with the civil disobedience, mostly content to support his grandchildren.

From Los Angeles Times

Apollo Naff, the owner of about 15 of the vehicles, hung back and engaged on his phone, trying to figure ways to keep his fleet out of the impound lot.

From Seattle Times