Skip to main content

stuffylacking fresh air; poorly ventilated

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: lacking fresh air; poorly ventilated

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈstʌfi/

Example Sentences

  • The library became so stuffy that students started falling asleep over their textbooks.
  • My grandmother's stuffy rules included 'no phones at dinner' and 'curtsy when adults enter.'
  • I woke up with a stuffy nose and realized I'd caught my roommate's cold.

stuffy

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈstʌfi/]

lacking fresh air; poorly ventilated

lacking fresh air; poorly ventilated
💡 Concept

lacking fresh air; poorly ventilated

In the stuffy room, fluffy pillows dance as the scruffy janitor brings fresh air!
🎵 Rhyme

In the stuffy room, fluffy pillows dance as the scruffy janitor brings fresh air!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈstʌfi/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈstʌfi/

🌳Etymology

Rootstuff
Suffix-y

Origin

Stuffy emerged in the 16th century as a derivative of 'stuff,' originally meaning to fill or cram something. The term evolved to describe an atmosphere or space so densely filled as to feel oppressive or suffocating.

Breakdown

stuff (to fill, cram) + -y (adjective suffix forming descriptive terms). The suffix transforms the verb into an adjective meaning 'characterized by or full of stuff.'

🎵Rhyme

fluffyscruffyhuffy
fluffy
scruffy
huffy

🔗Collocations

stuffy room
stuffy nose
stuffy atmosphere
feel stuffy
stuffy attitude
stuffy old-fashioned

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The library became so stuffy that students started falling asleep over their textbooks.

😄 Fun example

My grandmother's stuffy rules included 'no phones at dinner' and 'curtsy when adults enter.'

I woke up with a stuffy nose and realized I'd caught my roommate's cold.

The boardroom was so stuffy that even the CEO suggested opening a window.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

airlessstiflingsuffocatingformalconservative

Antonyms

airyfreshventilated

Related

stuffstiflesuffocateventilationcongested

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.