stuffy

American  

[stuhf-ee] / ˈstʌf i /

adjective

stuffier, stuffiest

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.

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stuffy British  

/ ˈstʌfɪ /

adjective

1. lacking fresh air

2. excessively dull, staid, or conventional

3. (of the nasal passages) blocked with mucus

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Other Word Forms

• stuffily adverb
• stuffiness noun
• unstuffily adverb
• unstuffiness noun
• unstuffy adjective

Etymology

Origin of stuffy

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

Example Sentences

The air on the plane is stuffy, uncomfortable.

From Literature

Call it a rolling away of the stone from stuffy religiosity.

From The Wall Street Journal

The stuffy heat of the second floor enveloped us on the landing.

From Literature

William is also looking to lay the groundwork to become a different kind of monarch than King Charles, aiming for a less formal, less stuffy style.

From The Wall Street Journal

Brewdog's success was built on developing a loyal following who loved the company's irreverent take on a craft beer industry thought to be tired and stuffy.

From BBC

Related Words

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