stuffier; stuffiest
Synonyms of stuffynext
1
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 adverb
stuffiness 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.
For dinner, Naman recommends venturing north at Surfside's The Surf Club, a polished but never-stuffy spot known for impeccable classics and a dining room that channels old-school Miami in the best way. Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 21 Dec. 2025 Onesto feels sophisticated and special without being stuffy or outrageous. Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 20 Dec. 2025 Sure, dressing like your grandfather may not have been on your 2025 bingo card (pun intended), but make no mistake—the trend is anything but stuffy. Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 19 Dec. 2025 That’s because measles can start as just a stuffy nose and a red dot on the abdomen, but the illness rapidly evolves into whole-body bumps and blisters accompanied by difficulty breathing. Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Stuffy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stuffy. Accessed 24 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

stuffy

adjective
stuffier; stuffiest
1
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
stuffily adverb
stuffiness noun

Medical Definition

stuffy

adjective
stuffier; stuffiest
: affected with congestion
a stuffy nose
stuffiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on stuffy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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