What does snuffy mean?
Snuffy is an adjective meaning that someone has a blocked or runny nose, often because they have a cold. It can describe the sound of a voice as well as the nose itself, and it is especially familiar as a British English term: a child may sound snuffy, or have a snuffy nose. The word can also describe a dog with a short, stubby muzzle, especially a breed such as a terrier. In everyday conversation, snuffy is usually informal but familiar, and its humorous or mildly descriptive tone makes it more evocative than the neutral term “nasal.” The word is related to snuff and snuffle, both of which involve sounds made through the nose. Although it can describe a common cold symptom, snuffy is more readily understood as a concise, slightly comic word than as a medical term.
Having a blocked or runny nose, especially from a cold; snuffly.
"He sounded snuffy and had to clear his throat."
Chiefly British in general use; also used of a voice that sounds blocked by nasal congestion.
Having a short, stubby nose, especially of a dog.
"The snuffy little dog barked from beneath the table."
This sense is particularly associated with dogs and breeds with shortened muzzles.
One small cold can make the whole world sound like it has been stuffed with wool.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of snuffy
Snuffy developed from “snuff,” a word associated with sniffing or drawing air through the nose, with the suffix “-y” adding an adjective meaning characterized by that quality. The older verb “snuffle,” meaning to sniff or breathe through a blocked nose, belongs to the same nasal-sound family. The canine sense reflects the long-standing use of “snuffy” for dogs with short, stubby noses.
Related word forms
How snuffy is actually used
The adjective is chiefly British in ordinary use, especially for a person with a cold. The canine sense is also associated with breeds characterized by shortened muzzles.
Easily confused with snuffy
Both words describe someone with a blocked or runny nose, but “snuffy” is the more established British term, while “snuffly” is also common in American English.