huff

[huhf]

noun

1. a mood of sulking anger; a fit of resentment.

   Just because you disagree, don't walk off in a huff.

   Synonyms: pet, pic, passion, temper

verb (used with object)

1. to give offense to; make angry.

2. to treat with arrogance or contempt; bluster at; hector or bully.

3. Checkers.,  to remove (a piece) from the board as a penalty for failing to make a compulsory capture.

4. Slang.,  to inhale the vapors of in order to become intoxicated.

   to huff glue.

verb (used without object)

1. to take offense; speak indignantly.

2. to puff or blow; breathe heavily.

3. to swell with pride or arrogance; swagger or bluster.

huff

/ hʌf /

noun

1. a passing mood of anger or pique (esp in the phrase in a huff )

verb

1. to make or become angry or resentful

2. (intr) to blow or puff heavily

3. Also: blow. draughts to remove (an opponent's draught) from the board for failure to make a capture

4. obsolete,  (tr) to bully

5. empty threats or objections; bluster

Other Word Forms

• huffish adjective
• huffiness noun
• huffily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of huff¹

1575–85; imitative; puff

Word History and Origins

Origin of huff¹

C16: of imitative origin; compare _puff

Idioms and Phrases

• in a huff

Example Sentences

Celtic huffed and puffed against Kazakh side Kairat Almaty, but they were unable to even come close to finding the back of the net in a blunt display.

From BBC

There are stabbing actions and fight-for-your-life moves as Decker throws out petrifying puns, making the class chuckle between huffs and puffs.

From Los Angeles Times

In other words, it’s not up to Newsom to huff and puff and blow existing House districts down.

From Los Angeles Times

With mighty Yankee Aaron Judge huffing and puffing at the plate, a lone insistent chant emerged from a Dodger fan lurking in the shadows.

From Los Angeles Times

“Blocked by a dog in a dress!” she said with a huff.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• heave 
• puff