What does snuffier mean?
Snuffier is the comparative form of snuffy. It can describe something that has a stronger unpleasant smell, especially one resembling a stale or extinguished candle, or someone who is more stuffy, self-righteous, and disapproving. The word is often humorous or gently critical, especially when it characterizes an attitude: a person may be described as becoming snuffier about other people's behavior. Its olfactory sense is less common but remains established. Because snuffier is an inflected comparative, it normally appears before a noun or after a linking verb, as in 'a snuffier attitude' or 'the room smelled snuffier.' The superlative form is snuffiest, and the adverb snuffily is also used, particularly in literary contexts.
Having a stronger unpleasant smell; more foul-smelling.
"A snuffier smell drifted up from the old cupboard."
This olfactory sense is less common today than the figurative sense describing a disapproving attitude.
More stuffy, self-righteous, or disapproving in attitude.
"He grew snuffier with each passing year."
This sense is often used in a mildly critical or humorous way.
One word can describe both a foul odor and a rigid attitude: snuffier.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of snuffier
The word belongs to the snuff family, with the basic form snuffy ultimately associated with snuff and the action of snuffing. The adjective has long conveyed both a disagreeable smell and, by extension, a stale or inhibited manner. The figurative sense of being excessively proper developed from ideas of extinguishing enthusiasm or dampening liveliness, while the related snuffbox preserves the word's older association with scented tobacco.
Related word forms
How snuffier is actually used
As a comparative adjective, snuffier is normally used with 'more' only when comparing degrees of smell or disapproval. Its older sense of 'more stuffy or self-righteous' is often mildly critical or humorous.
Easily confused with snuffier
Snuffier means more unpleasant-smelling or more stuffy and disapproving, whereas sniffier means more inclined to sniff or more visibly suspicious through the sense of smell.