Huff Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ค
huff
[hสf ]
Definitions
breathe
To breathe heavily and noisily, especially as a result of exertion or effort.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| huff |
Huff in another sense can be used similarly to pant and puff, usually indicating someone is out of breath from physical exertion. Slightly informal.
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| puff |
Puff is similar to huff and pant, used when someone is out of breath, often after physical activity. It can also refer to blowing lightly, as in puffing out smoke.
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| pant |
Pant is used to describe breathing heavily and quickly, typically due to physical exertion, stress, or excitement. It is often associated with being out of breath.
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| blow |
Blow is used in a variety of contexts where air is expelled forcefully from the mouth. It can refer to cooling something, to a physical action like blowing out candles, or even a burst of wind.
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Examples of usage
- After running for an hour, she huffed and puffed as she tried to catch her breath.
- He huffed in frustration when he couldn't figure out the answer.
express displeasure
To express one's annoyance or anger by making a noise or puffing out one's breath.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| huff |
Used when someone is annoyed or angry, and usually shows this by breathing out noisily. This can often be seen as immature or petulant behavior.
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| grumble |
Used when someone is complaining in a low voice, often in a way that is not intended to be clearly heard. It can imply a habit of often finding things to be unhappy about.
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| complain |
Used when someone is expressing dissatisfaction or annoyance about a situation or something they do not like. It is more focused on vocalizing discontent.
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| sigh |
Used when someone is letting out a long breath to express tiredness, sadness, disappointment, or relief. It is often a more subdued and reflective action.
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Examples of usage
- She huffed at the rude customer before composing herself.
- He huffed in disbelief at the outrageous statement.
expression of annoyance
A noisy expulsion of breath as a sign of annoyance or anger.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| huff |
When someone is slightly angry or annoyed and expresses it by breathing out noisily.
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| puff |
When someone exerts effort, often physically, and breathes heavily, or when someone smokes.
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| pant |
When someone is breathing quickly and heavily, usually due to physical exertion or excitement.
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| snort |
When someone expresses contempt, disgust, or laughter by forcing air through their nose harshly.
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Examples of usage
- She let out a huff of frustration before walking away.
- He responded with a huff, showing his displeasure.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Pop Culture
- The phrase 'huff and puff' has been popularized in childrenโs literature, often associated with characters that try hard but may fail.
- In the classic story of 'The Three Little Pigs', the Big Bad Wolf huffs and puffs to blow down the houses, linking the word to effort and frustration.
Music
- The word 'huff' is used in various songs, often to capture emotions like frustration or effort.
- In beatboxing, 'huffing' refers to a technique where performers use breath sounds to mimic instruments.
Psychology
- Heavy cursing can sometimes accompany 'huffing' when expressing anger or frustration; it's an expression of emotion.
- Studies show that physical exertion, like running, can lead to huffing, which in turn helps in stress relief.
Sports
- In sports contexts, 'huffing' is often associated with athletes engaging in strenuous activities and needing to catch their breath.
- Coaches might tell players to 'huff and puff' as a method to emphasize maximum effort during training.
Origin of 'huff'
Main points about word origin
- The term 'huff' comes from the Middle English word 'hoffen', which means to blow or to breathe hard.
- In historical slang, 'huff' was also used to mean to boast or brag loudly.
The word 'huff' originated in Middle English, derived from the Old English word 'hof,' meaning a house or dwelling. Over time, the meaning of 'huff' evolved to include expressions of annoyance or exertion. The use of 'huff' to describe breathing heavily or expressing displeasure has been recorded since the 16th century. It is commonly used in informal language to convey frustration or irritation.
Word Frequency Rank
At rank #27,667, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.
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- 27664 overshadowing
- 27665 quintet
- 27666 washable
- 27667 huff
- 27668 suede
- 27669 negligibly
- 27670 stylistically
- ...