stuffy

[ stuhf-ee ]

adjective

, stuff·i·er, stuff·i·est.

1. close; poorly ventilated:

   a stuffy room.

2. oppressive from lack of freshness:

   stuffy air; a stuffy odor.

3. lacking in interest, as writing or discourse.

   Synonyms: stodgy

4. affected with a sensation of obstruction in the respiratory passages:

   a stuffy nose.

5. dull or tedious; boring.

   Synonyms: stodgy

6. self-important; pompous.

   Synonyms: smug

7. rigid or strait-laced in attitudes, especially in matters of personal behavior.

   Synonyms: priggish

8. old-fashioned; conservative.

   Synonyms: stodgy

9. ill-tempered; sulky.

stuffy

/ ˈstʌfɪ /

adjective

1. lacking fresh air
2. excessively dull, staid, or conventional
3. (of the nasal passages) blocked with mucus

Derived Forms

• ˈstuffily, adverb
• ˈstuffiness, noun

Other Words From

• stuffi·ly adverb
• stuffi·ness noun
• un·stuffi·ly adverb
• un·stuffi·ness noun
• un·stuffy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stuffy¹

First recorded in 1545–55; stuff + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Cavalariça Lisboa - Dim and romantic, Cavalariça Lisboa exudes a charming, laid-back vibe that’s far from stuffy.

From Salon

Sala de Corte - Have you ever been to a steakhouse and felt like it was too old school or stuffy?

From Salon

Clichés raced through my head: Would she be stuffy or old-fashioned?

From Los Angeles Times

The host of the services, Nefesh, maintains a fluid “come as you are” attitude, unlike the stuffy atmosphere of my youth temple.

From Los Angeles Times

Stuffy sinuses with an acidic burn in the eyes.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arrogant
• dreary
• genteel
• humorless
• musty
• pompous
• self-important
• staid
• stodgy