sniffy

[ snif-ee ]

adjective

, Informal.

, snif·fi·er, snif·fi·est.

1. inclined to sniff, as in scorn; disdainful; supercilious:

   He was very sniffy about breaches of etiquette.

sniffy

/ ˈsnɪfɪ /

adjective

1. informal.
   contemptuous or disdainful

Derived Forms

• ˈsniffily, adverb
• ˈsniffiness, noun

Other Words From

• sniffi·ly adverb
• sniffi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sniffy¹

First recorded in 1865–70; sniff + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Critics were sniffy, but Jackson said he stands “100% behind it” and would love another crack.

From Los Angeles Times

The movie, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, overcame some sniffy early reviews and is now regarded as a classic for the studio, whose subsequent “Spirited Away” won the Oscar for animation in 2003.

From New York Times

“The U.K. public is very sniffy about stories of former prime ministers making money,” said Giles Edwards, author of “The Ex Men: How Our Former Presidents and Prime Ministers Are Still Changing the World.”

From New York Times

But they have been pretty sniffy about the likelihood of it happening.

From BBC

The clothes were a bit sniffy, but then, from my meager experience with Chase, it seemed that eight-year-old boys could be a bit sniffy themselves.

From Literature

Related Words

• aloof
• bossy
• cavalier
• cocky
• haughty
• imperious
• pompous
• presumptuous
• pretentious
• smug
• vain