STUFFY (stuffier, stuffiest)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: stuffier    , stuffiest   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does stuffy mean? 

• STUFFY (adjective)
  The adjective STUFFY has 3 senses:

1. lacking fresh air

2. excessively conventional and unimaginative and hence dull

3. affected with a sensation of stoppage or obstruction

  Familiarity information: STUFFY used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• STUFFY (adjective)

Comparative: stuffier   
Superlative: stuffiest   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Lacking fresh air

Synonyms:

airless; close; stuffy; unaired

Context example:

hot and stuffy and the air was blue with smoke

Similar:

unventilated (not ventilated)

Derivation:

stuffiness (the quality of being close and poorly ventilated)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Excessively conventional and unimaginative and hence dull

Synonyms:

stodgy; stuffy

Context example:

a stodgy dinner party

Similar:

conventional (following accepted customs and proprieties)

Derivation:

stuffiness (dull and pompous gravity)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Affected with a sensation of stoppage or obstruction

Context example:

a stuffy feeling in my chest

Similar:

obstructed (shut off to passage or view or hindered from action)

Derivation:

stuffiness (state of obstruction or stoppage or air in the nose or throat)

 Context examples 

For, going down into the cabin to turn in, I decided that it was too stuffy to sleep below.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Surely because there is some connection between three things—the burning, the stuffy atmosphere, and, finally, the madness or death of those unfortunate people.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

For example, the stuffy nose of the common cold can make it hard for you to breathe, sleep, or get comfortable.

(Nose Injuries and Disorders, NIH)

The thought of going home to cook breakfast in his stuffy little room was repulsive to him.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Sometimes mild breathing problems are from a stuffy nose or hard exercise.

(Breathing Problems, NIH)

But the room was awfully stuffy.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

It may occur with other symptoms, including a runny or stuffy nose, extra mucus in the back of the throat, wheezing, shortness of breath, or heartburn.

(Chronic cough, NCI Dictionary)

Sneezing, sore throat, a stuffy nose, coughing - everyone knows the symptoms of the common cold.

(Common Cold, NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

Sneezing, sore throat, a stuffy nose, coughing — everyone knows the symptoms of the common cold.

(Cold and Cough Medicines, Food and Drug Administration)

The officers of the —shire were in general a very creditable, gentlemanlike set, and the best of them were of the present party; but Mr. Wickham was as far beyond them all in person, countenance, air, and walk, as they were superior to the broad-faced, stuffy uncle Phillips, breathing port wine, who followed them into the room.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)