stuffy

adjective

ˈstə-fē How to pronounce stuffy (audio)
stuffier; stuffiest
Synonyms of stuffynext
1
: ill-natured, ill-humored
2
: lacking in vitality or interest : stodgy, dull
3
a
: oppressive to the breathing : close
a stuffy room
b
: stuffed up
a stuffy nose
4
a
: narrowly inflexible in standards of conduct : self-righteous
b
: stiffly conventional : priggish
stuffy formalities
stuffily
ˈstə-fə-lē How to pronounce stuffy (audio)
adverb
stuffiness
ˈstə-fē-nəs How to pronounce stuffy (audio)
noun

Synonyms of stuffy

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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 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 Get mildly uncomfortable in some stuffy air, sweat a little, then… leave? — Winston Ross, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Walking the ship, the service was warm and friendly whereas the wait staff in the dining spaces edged closer to formal, though not stuffy. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 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

Rhymes for stuffy

See All Rhymes for stuffy

Browse Nearby Words

stuff the ballot box
stuffy
stuggy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stuffy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stuffy. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

stuffy

adjective
ˈstəf-ē How to pronounce stuffy (audio)
stuffier; stuffiest
1
: sullen sense 1, ill-humored
2
a
: lacking fresh air
a stuffy room
b
: stuffed or choked up
had a stuffy feeling in my head
3
: lacking in pep or interest : dull, stodgy
4
: self-righteous
stuffily
ˈstəf-ə-lē How to pronounce stuffy (audio)
adverb
stuffiness
ˈstəf-ē-nəs How to pronounce stuffy (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

stuffy

adjective
ˈstəf-ē How to pronounce stuffy (audio)
stuffier; stuffiest
: affected with congestion
a stuffy nose
stuffiness
ˈstəf-ē-nəs How to pronounce stuffy (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on stuffy

Nglish: Translation of stuffy for Spanish Speakers

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