miffed
Americanadjective
Etymology
Origin of miffed
Explanation
When you're miffed, you're offended or annoyed. It would be hard not to feel miffed if your entire family forgot your birthday. The informal miffed is great for describing a feeling of irritation or impatience. Your teacher might be miffed if you keep showing up late to class, and you'll feel equally miffed if he doesn't believe your excuse that the bus is always late. Miffed came along in the early nineteenth century, from miff, "fit of ill humor," which is probably imitative of the disgusted sound you might make when you're fed up or offended.
Vocabulary lists containing miffed
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
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Red Kayak
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Chomp
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"We started making shots," said Durant, a two-time NBA champion who launched his career with the Thunder franchise and heard boos from fans still miffed by his departure more than nine years ago.
From Barron's • Feb. 8, 2026
A Gallup poll last year revealed that satisfaction with public education had reached a 24-year low, and people have good reason to be miffed.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 13, 2026
She’s miffed when her dad claims his small indie would be her big break.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2025
Jac Morgan is probably the one out of everyone not selected to have every reason to be slightly miffed.
From BBC • Jul. 17, 2025
I was miffed that O’Dell took the shooting so lightheartedly.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
