stuffier; stuffiest
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.
This chipping away at self can happen slowly, over time, with each passing day spent resolving sibling squabbles, staying up late to help with homework, cooking family meals, cleaning, carpooling, changing diapers, and wiping stuffy noses. Melissa Willets, Parents, 10 Oct. 2025 Despite the irony of her preoccupation with designer labels designating her as the stuffy one in the Spice Girls, she was met with scorn by the fashion establishment. Scarlett Harris, Time, 9 Oct. 2025 Comfort should always come first when building an airport outfit, and that means that certain fabrics—like starchy denim and stuffy rayon—are not an option. Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2025 What about that friend who came to dinner with a stuffy nose? Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stuffy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stuffy. Accessed 19 Oct. 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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