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

Symptoms of bird flu can include fever, fatigue, cough, muscle aches, sore throat, shortness of breath, stuffy or runny nose, eye redness, headaches and pneumonia requiring hospitalization, according to the CDC. —Michelle Tauber, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025

The brightly colored lamps, art, and fabrics add a punch that keeps this room from being stuffy or staid. —Zoe Gowen, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025

The looks are hip and fun, with a sense of British cool that could never be stuffy. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 28 Dec. 2025

Additionally, letting fresh air in through an open window can refresh the indoor environment, especially if your home feels stuffy after a long night. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Dec. 2025

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