jiffy

noun

jif·​fy ˈji-fē 

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)

Synonyms

• minute
• second
• heartbeat
• moment

Examples of jiffy in a Sentence

I'll be there in a jiffy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Scheffler rode that late-round momentum into an impressive three-shot lead, but Saturday's rollercoaster of a leaderboard is a reminder that what goes up can plummet in a jiffy. —Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025

The system synced with my phone in a jiffy. Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter. —Josh Max, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

However, there are some pretty big draws for out-of-towners looking to spend a week enjoying the area, including great restaurants, a brand-new luxury resort, and plenty of public beaches sure to put you on island time in a jiffy. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025

Instead, open jars in a jiffy with an inexpensive find from OXO. —Erica Lamberg, Fox News, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1779, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

jiffy

noun

jif·​fy ˈjif-ē 

plural jiffies

informal

: moment sense 1, instant

in a jiffy