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sniffy

adjective \ ˈsni-fē \

Definition of sniffy

sniffier; sniffiest
:having or expressing a haughty attitude :disdainful, supercilious
—

sniffily

play \ˈsni-fə-lē\ adverb
—

sniffiness

play \ˈsni-fē-nəs\ noun

See sniffy defined for English-language learners

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Examples of sniffy in a Sentence

  1. She wrote a sniffy letter rejecting his offer.

  2. she was sniffy about anyone who didn't live up to her standards for “good manners”

Recent Examples of sniffy from the Web

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

First Known Use of sniffy

1871

sniffy Synonyms

Synonyms
assumptive, bumptious, cavalier, chesty, haughty, highfalutin (also hifalutin), high-and-mighty, high-handed, high-hat, huffish, huffy, imperious, important, lofty, lordly, masterful, overweening, peremptory, pompous, presuming, presumptuous, pretentious, self-asserting, self-assertive, arrogant, stiff-necked, supercilious, superior, toplofty (also toploftical), uppish, uppity
Antonyms
humble, lowly, modest, unarrogant, unpretentious
Related Words
authoritarian, bossy, dominant, dominating, domineering, magisterial, pontifical, pontificating; condescending, disdainful, patronizing; impertinent, impudent, saucy; snobbish, snobby, snooty; blusterous, blustery, boastful, bombastic, braggart, bragging, braggy, cocky, swaggering, vain, vainglorious; complacent, conceited, egocentric, egoistic (also egoistical), egotistic (or egotistical), hubristic, narcissistic, orgulous, prideful, proud, self-affected, self-applauding, self-centered, self-complacent, self-conceited, self-pleased, self-satisfied, smug, stuck-up; self-flattering, self-loving, self-promoting; brash, forward, uninhibited, unreserved; extroverted (also extraverted), immodest
Near Antonyms
bashful, cowering, cringing, demure, diffident, introverted, mousy (or mousey), overmodest, self-critical, self-doubting, sheepish, shrinking, shy, subdued, timid; acquiescent, compliant, deferential, meek, passive, submissive, unaggressive, unassertive, unassuming, unobtrusive, yielding; quiet, reserved, retiring

SNIFFY Defined for English Language Learners

sniffy

adjective

Definition of sniffy for English Language Learners

  • : having or showing the attitude of people who believe that they are better or more important than other people

Learn More about sniffy

  1. See words that rhyme with sniffy Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sniffy

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pleasing or sweet sound

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Examples: sniffy in a Sentence