jiffy

noun

jif·​fy ˈji-fē How to pronounce jiffy (audio)
plural jiffies
informal
: a very short period of time : moment, instant sense 1
ready in a jiffy
Their troubles were all over in a jiffy.Roald Dahl
A small restaurant offering good Vietnamese food in a jiffy.New Times (Phoenix, Arizona)

Examples of jiffy in a Sentence

I'll be there in a jiffy.
Recent Examples on the Web End your relaxed evening by hitting up upscale sports bar Upper Deck Ale & Sports Grill, a popular spot that features a relaxed outdoor bar where fancy (and affordable) martinis are mixed in a jiffy. Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 In fact, come fall, airlines, hotels and credit card companies are eager to woo new business after the summer rush, offering special offers and promotions that can refill your loyalty program account in a jiffy. Ramsey Qubein, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Sep. 2023 Cut up carrots, onions, garlic and more in a jiffy, or use it to make your own salsa or purees for baby. Liz Kadar, Redbook, 6 July 2023 The Everyday Classic is 100 percent waterproof, and dries in a jiffy. Todd Plummer, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2023 Singapore The upscale city-state of Singapore often ranks among the best countries for expats to live and work, thanks to job security, high-quality schools, and one of the world's most efficient public transport systems that can get you all over the city in a jiffy. Lilly Graves, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2023 The Voweek Electric Spin Scrubber boasts tons of functional features that’ll whip bathtubs, shower walls, floors, windows, and more into shape in a jiffy. Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 17 May 2023 The Solo Stove Titan can whip a fire up in a jiffy using the sticks and Kindle around your campsite and give you a bright and full fire. Mike Richard, menshealth.com, 11 May 2023 In helping to solve this one, he’s also pounced on at the rarest of opportunities to grow by best of another financial institution, and grow big, safely and in a jiffy. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jiffy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1779, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jiffy was in 1779

Dictionary Entries Near jiffy

Cite this Entry

“Jiffy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jiffy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

jiffy

noun
jif·​fy ˈjif-ē How to pronounce jiffy (audio)
plural jiffies
: moment sense 1, instant
in a jiffy

More from Merriam-Webster on jiffy

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