stuffy

adjective

ˈstə-fē 

stuffier; stuffiest

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 

adverb

stuffiness

ˈstə-fē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of stuffy

• close
• stifling
• suffocating
• breathless

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

But Obama's center projects a younger, hipper, less stuffy vibe than its general ilk. —Susan Page, USA Today, 15 June 2026

Ornate Pieces While traditional design will always have a place, certain decorative details now feel a bit stuffy. —Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 14 June 2026

The building is certainly overstuffed—pre-Columbian artifacts, Chinese breezeway tiles, Indian chairs—but never stuffy, and often playful. —Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026

Where To Stay The resort offers both classic rooms and larger suites, including accessible options, all designed in a comfy coastal style that feels luxurious without being stuffy. —Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 12 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stuffy

• buffy
• fluffy
• puffy
• scruffy

Kids Definition

stuffy

adjective

ˈstəf-ē 

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 

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