What does miffed mean?
Miffed means annoyed or irritated, especially about something that seems unfair, careless, or mildly inconsiderate. It is an informal word commonly used in conversation to describe a person's reaction to an irritating event, remark, or person. For example, someone may be miffed with a colleague for forgetting a promise or miffed about a change that caused inconvenience. The tone is usually playful or mildly critical rather than deeply hostile, making it useful for expressing displeasure without the emotional force of anger or outrage. The related verb miff is much less common, while the adjective is often used in constructions such as “be miffed with” and “be miffed about.” Although the word can suggest the British preference for understatement, it is now understood and used in American English as well.
Feeling or expressing annoyance or irritation.
"The children were miffed about having to abandon their game."
Chiefly used in informal speech and often in the constructions “be miffed with” and “be miffed about.”
To cause someone to become annoyed or irritated.
"His abrupt reply miffed her."
This is the past tense and past participle of miff and is much less common in this active use than the passive-like construction “be miffed.”
Miffed may sound mysterious, but its meaning is simple: mildly but unmistakably annoyed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does miffed come from?
The word comes from the verb miff, which was in use by the early nineteenth century. Its ultimate origin is uncertain, and it has no securely established connection to a more familiar word in another language.
Related word forms
How miffed is actually used
Informal and conversational. It is somewhat more common in British English but is also understood and used in American English; it often conveys annoyance that is less intense than anger.
Easily confused with miffed
A miffed person is annoyed, whereas a muffed sound is muffled or indistinct.