stuffy

adjective

ˈstə-fē

stuffier; stuffiest

Synonyms of stuffy

: ill-natured, ill-humored

: lacking in vitality or interest : stodgy, dull

: oppressive to the breathing : close

a stuffy room

: stuffed up

a stuffy nose

: narrowly inflexible in standards of conduct : self-righteous

: stiffly conventional : priggish

stuffy formalities

stuffily

ˈstə-fə-lē

adverb

stuffiness

ˈstə-fē-nəs

noun

Examples of stuffy in a Sentence

It's very stuffy in here. She had a stuffy nose. I had a stuffy feeling in my head. the stuffiest members of that exclusive club

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

This light, airy matching set provides coverage without feeling stuffy or constricting. — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2026 With less humidity in the air, your home should start to feel less stuffy, even without lowering the thermostat and making your air conditioner work harder. — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 8 Aug. 2026 This curtain type is airy, casual, and gives your windows a sense of place and structure without feeling stuffy—or completely blacking out the sunshine during golden hour. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 4 Aug. 2026 Astronauts often return with puffy faces, stuffy noses and a feeling similar to a lingering cold. — Sundeep Venkatesan, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stuffy

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of stuffy was in 1798

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Stuffy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stuffy. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

stuffy

adjective

ˈstəf-ē

stuffier; stuffiest

: sullen sense 1, ill-humored

: lacking fresh air

a stuffy room

: stuffed or choked up

had a stuffy feeling in my head

: lacking in pep or interest : dull, stodgy

: self-righteous

stuffily

ˈstəf-ə-lē

adverb

stuffiness

ˈstəf-ē-nəs

noun

Medical Definition

stuffy

adjective

ˈstəf-ē

stuffier; stuffiest

: affected with congestion

a stuffy nose

stuffiness

ˈstəf-ē-nəs

noun

stuffy

adjective

Synonyms of stuffy

Examples of stuffy in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

tilde

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes

stuffy

adjective

Synonyms of stuffy

Examples of stuffy in a Sentence

Word History

Rhymes for stuffy

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

tilde

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes