huff

[ huhf ]

noun

1. a mood of sulking anger; a fit of resentment:

   Just because you disagree, don't walk off in a huff.

   Synonyms: pet, pic, passion, temper

verb (used with object)

1. to give offense to; make angry.
2. to treat with arrogance or contempt; bluster at; hector or bully.
3. Checkers. to remove (a piece) from the board as a penalty for failing to make a compulsory capture.
4. Slang. to inhale the vapors of in order to become intoxicated:

   to huff glue.

verb (used without object)

1. to take offense; speak indignantly.
2. to puff or blow; breathe heavily.
3. to swell with pride or arrogance; swagger or bluster.

huff

/ hʌf /

noun

1. a passing mood of anger or pique (esp in the phrase in a huff )

verb

1. to make or become angry or resentful
2. intr to blow or puff heavily
3. Alsoblow draughts to remove (an opponent's draught) from the board for failure to make a capture
4. obsolete.
   tr to bully
5. huffing and puffing
   empty threats or objections; bluster

Derived Forms

• ˈhuffish, adjective
• ˈhuffiness, noun
• ˈhuffily, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of huff¹

1575–85; imitative; puff

Word History and Origins

Origin of huff¹

C16: of imitative origin; compare puff

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with huff , also see in a huff .

Example Sentences

So did former Lakers two-way center Jay Huff.

From Los Angeles Times

The network subsequently announced it cut ties with Girdusky who promptly took to X to huff, “Apparently you can't go on CNN if you make a joke. I'm glad America gets to see what CNN stands for.”

From Salon

Instead, Charter is canceling “Behind the Sport” and reducing new episodes of “Backstage: Dodgers” and “Backstage: Lakers” to one per month, according to company spokeswoman Maureen Huff.

From Los Angeles Times

“These programming adjustments are routine and do not signal any broader operational changes,” Huff said.

From Los Angeles Times

Huff said “a few positions” have been eliminated.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• heave
• puff