huff

verb \ ˈhəf \

Updated on: 23 May 2018

Definition of huff

intransitive verb

1 a : to emit puffs (as of breath or steam)

b : to proceed with labored breathing

huffed up to the peak

2 a : to make empty threats : bluster

b : to react or behave indignantly

transitive verb

1 archaic : to treat with contempt

2 : to make angry

3 : to utter with indignation or scorn

4 : to inhale (noxious fumes) through the mouth for the euphoric effect produced by the inhalant

See huff defined for English-language learners

See huff defined for kids

Examples of huff in a Sentence

“The project is a complete waste of time,” she huffed.
demanding to speak to the branch manager, she huffed about the rudeness of the bank teller

Recent Examples of huff from the Web

Our potty-mouthed and essentially unkillable protagonist huffs a few breaths from his gas oven before lying down on several barrels full of test fuel.

— christopher orr, The Atlantic, "Deadpool 2 Is Even Better Than the Original," 14 May 2018
Zielinski old investigators the items were for huffing glue, according to WVLT.

— travis fedschun, Fox News, "Man nicknamed 'Captain Jack Sparrow' huffed glue, kicked Tennessee cops, police say," 7 May 2018
He was also arrested in Jacksonville for drinking beer at a beach and twice for huffing an aerosol can during the same two-month span, according to WFTV 9, the ABC affiliate in Orlando.

— justin sayers, The Courier-Journal, "Ex-Indiana University wrestler, Florida man, charged with kicking swans in Orlando," 4 May 2018
In one sense, the automobile has been a remarkably stable concept since the Patent-Motorwagen huffed out from Karl Benz's workshop back in 1886.

— Car and Driver, "Zero to Sixty: Car and Driver's 60th Anniversary," 30 June 2015
As Trevor comes huffing and puffing up the stairs, Marni walks into the pristinely white apartment, darkened now because in the Mediterranean style, all the shutters are latched.

— mary morris, The Atlantic, "Fiction: Mama’s Haven," 11 Mar. 2018
Cowan said the incident began when Gibson, who Cowan claimed was intoxicated after huffing paint, got into a fight with Cowan's grandsons, 16 and 21.

— justin l. mack, Indianapolis Star, "Veteran watching Indiana high school with AR-15 explains criminal record," 28 Feb. 2018
The man was huffing keyboard duster spray on a bus before he was removed by transit employees in the 500 block of East Silver Spring Drive.

— tyler langan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "North Shore blotter: Teen arrested for sending threatening Instagram message to his brother," 24 Jan. 2018
Oldman’s Churchill huffs and puffs his cigar less showily than fans of scenery-chewing will expect.

— armond white, National Review, "The Greatest Showman," 19 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'huff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of huff

imitative

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1583

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

huff Synonyms

huff

noun

Definition of huff

: a usually peevish and transitory spell of anger or resentment

quit in a huff

See huff defined for English-language learners

Examples of huff in a Sentence

was in a huff because everyone was running late and the hot breakfast she had prepared was getting cold
gets all in a huff every time anyone makes the slightest criticism

Recent Examples of huff from the Web

Skiles quit in a huff in 2016 and was eventually proven right when the Magic dumped Payton this season.

— george diaz, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Magic dumpster fire continues to burn despite fans' frustrations," 15 Apr. 2018
Maddie took off in a huff, dashing down the busy New York City sidewalk.

— katherine reynolds lewis, The Cut, "Can Scientists Tell Me If I’m a Good Mom?," 17 Apr. 2018
Heather joins Jill in the restaurant after the director leaves in a huff, and the women have a strange encounter with an obsessed fan who looks suspiciously like Heather.

— ben sachs, Chicago Reader, "Film / Money The low-budget mystery Gemini is an honest but failed study in upper-class malaise," 11 Apr. 2018
Eventually, a series of people would call until the person in charge got on the phone in a huff.

— andy kessler, WSJ, "Don’t Be Too Eager to Make a Deal," 25 Mar. 2018
Even on their own, the two planets are astrology’s favorite villains, responsible for such misfortunes as fist-fights, traffic tickets, going to jail, and getting yelled at and quitting your job in a huff.

— refinery29.com, "Your Horoscope This Week," 25 Mar. 2018
Gonzalez once left Arizona in a huff, penciled out by a new regime that studied analytics before their time, cast off to spend his last two seasons with the Dodgers and Marlins.

— dan bickley, azcentral, "Paul Goldschmidt picks up Diamondbacks torch from Luis Gonzalez," 23 Mar. 2018
Newcastle United striker Ivan Toney was left in a huff after the Magpies forgot to wish the 22-year-old a happy birthday last Friday.

— SI.com, "Newcastle Fans React to Fringe Striker's Tantrum as Magpies Forget to Wish Him Happy Birthday," 17 Mar. 2018
In today’s episode of Mean Guys, Denny takes his five-iron home in a huff because Bubba is spreading rumors in the clubhouse about Denny getting zonked on some kind of crazy juice.

— george diaz, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Jimmie Johnson vows to rise up despite age-old circumstances," 27 Feb. 2018

First Known Use of huff

1684

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

huff Synonyms

Synonyms

dudgeon, miff, offense (or offence), peeve, pique, resentment, umbrage;

Near Antonyms

satisfaction;

appeasement, mollification, pacification;

contentment, delight, gratification, happiness, pleasure;

agitation, angriness, displeasure, distress, disturbance, indignation, irateness, ire, outrage, upset;

dander, temper;

fit, pouts, sulk(s), tantrum, tizzy;

affront, barb, brickbat, dig, indignity, insult, put-down, slap, slight, slur;

Synonym Discussion of huff

offense, resentment, umbrage, pique, dudgeon, huff mean an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity. offense implies hurt displeasure.

- takes deep offense at racial slurs

resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will.

- harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother

umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives.

- took umbrage at the offer of advice

pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity.

- in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation

dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation.

- stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon

huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause.

- in a huff he slammed the door

HUFF Defined for English Language Learners

huff

verb

Definition of huff for English Language Learners

: to say (something) in a way that shows you are annoyed or angry

HUFF Defined for Kids

huff

verb \ ˈhəf \

Definition of huff for Students

huffed; huffing

1 : to give off puffs (as of air or steam)

2 : to do or say in a way that shows anger

He huffed out of the room.

huff

noun

Definition of huff for Students

: a fit of anger or temper

We argued and she left in a huff.

Medical Dictionary

huff

transitive verb \ ˈhəf \

medical Definition of huff

: to inhale (noxious fumes) through the mouth for the euphoric effect produced by the inhalant; also : to inhale the noxious fumes of (a substance) for their euphoric effect