What does miffy mean?
Miffy is an informal word for feeling annoyed, irritated, or slightly offended. It is especially common in North American English and often describes a mild, restrained reaction rather than open anger. As an adjective, “miffy” can describe a person’s mood: someone might become miffy after being ignored or corrected. As a verb, it means to annoy or irritate someone, as in a sentence such as “The sudden change in plans miffed him.” The related form “miffed” is also common, especially in American usage. Although the word can sound old-fashioned or folksy in some contexts, it remains natural in everyday conversation. It is most useful when the speaker wants to convey irritation without suggesting a serious confrontation.
Feeling annoyed, irritated, or slightly offended.
"The child was miffy after being told he could not have another cookie."
Informal and chiefly North American. It usually describes mild irritation rather than intense anger.
To annoy or irritate someone.
"The broken promise miffed him more than the original delay."
Informal and chiefly North American. It can be used transitively, with the person annoyed as the object, or intransitively in constructions such as “He miffed.”
Miffy is a distinctly conversational way to describe irritation: a miffy person is not usually furious, just mildly annoyed or offended.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does miffy come from?
The word dates back to the nineteenth century in English, with related forms such as “miffed” appearing in informal usage. Its ultimate origin is uncertain, and it is often treated as an independent expressive formation rather than a word with a clearly traceable classical or Germanic root. The adjective and verb uses developed closely together, with the verb generally meaning “to annoy” and the adjective meaning “annoyed.”
Related word forms
How miffy is actually used
Informal and chiefly North American in use. It is usually milder than “furious” and often suggests a restrained or sulky reaction.