Huffed: meaning, definitions and examples
😤
huffed
[ hÊŒft ]
breath/anger
'Huffed' is the simple past tense of the verb 'huff', which means to breathe heavily or to exhale forcefully. It can also refer to showing annoyance or irritation, often in a dramatic manner. When someone huffs, it often indicates that they are upset or displeased about something. The action of huffing may come with a specific body language, such as crossed arms or a scowl, emphasizing one's displeasure or frustration.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- She huffed in frustration when her plans were canceled.
- He huffed as he carried the heavy box up the stairs.
- The child huffed after losing the game.
Etymology
The word 'huff' can be traced back to the Middle English word 'huffen', which means to blow or puff. It has roots in Old English 'huffian', carrying connotations of exhaling forcefully. The usage evolved in the 19th century, particularly in American English, to also encompass expressions of anger and irritation. The informal sense of the term quickly gained popularity, particularly among children and in colloquial speech, where it often describes a huffy reaction to minor annoyances. Over time, this dual meaning has established 'huff' both as a descriptor for physical actions like heavy breathing and as a verb capturing emotional responses.