huff

UK: /ˈhʌf/ US: /hʌf/ ,(huf )

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

huff /hʌf/   n. [countable* usually singular]

1. a mood of quiet and barely held back anger;
   a fit of resentment.

v. [no object]

2. to show or express anger:
   He huffed about the unfairness of the press.
3. to puff or blow;
   breathe heavily.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

huff  (huf ), n. 

1. a mood of sulking anger;
   a fit of resentment:
   Just because you disagree, don't walk off in a huff.

v.t. 

2. to give offense to;
   make angry.
3. to treat with arrogance or contempt;
   bluster at;
   hector or bully.
4. [Checkers.] to remove (a piece) from the board as a penalty for failing to make a compulsory capture.
5. Slang Terms to inhale the vapors of in order to become intoxicated:
   to huff glue.

v.i. 

6. to take offense;
   speak indignantly.
7. to puff or blow;
   breathe heavily.
8. to swell with pride or arrogance;
   swagger or bluster.

• 1575–85; imitative; see puff

Synonyms

• 1. temper, passion, pique, pet.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

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. (intransitive) to blow or puff heavily
3. Also: blow to remove (an opponent's draught) from the board for failure to make a capture
4. (transitive) to bully
5. huffing and puffing ⇒ empty threats or objections; bluster

Etymology: 16th Century: of imitative origin; compare puff

ˈhuffish, ˈhuffy adjective

ˈhuffishly, ˈhuffily adverb