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

In the decades since, the piece has evolved to be made with leather cords instead—an alternative to the traditional stuffy tie—and worn by cowboys while riding. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026

The brothers have close to four hundred and fifty thousand followers across Instagram and TikTok, hailing largely from a young demographic that’s often wary of wine and its stuffy traditions. — Arthur Holland Michel, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

The restaurant’s interior features plush velvet, leather and touches of gold throughout, creating a refined space without feeling stuffy. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2026

And, yet, we’re supposed to take from it that Newsom isn’t just another stuffy old white dude in a suit. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 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