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Jiff: meaning, definitions and examples

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jiff

 

[ dʒɪf ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

informal time

A jiff is an informal term used to refer to a very short period of time, often perceived as almost instant or immediate. It is frequently used in colloquial language to indicate something will happen quickly.

Synonyms

flash, instant, moment, second

Examples of usage

  • I'll be back in a jiff.
  • Just wait a jiff while I grab my coat.
  • He'll fix it in a jiff.
  • It'll only take a jiff to get there.

Translations

Translations of the word "jiff" in other languages:

🇵🇹 jiff

🇮🇳 जिफ़

🇩🇪 jiff

🇮🇩 jiff

🇺🇦 жменька

🇵🇱 jiff

🇯🇵 ジフ

🇫🇷 jiff

🇪🇸 jiff

🇹🇷 jiff

🇰🇷 지프

🇸🇦 جيف

🇨🇿 jiff

🇸🇰 jiff

🇨🇳 吉夫

🇸🇮 jiff

🇮🇸 jiff

🇰🇿 жиф

🇬🇪 ჯიფი

🇦🇿 jiff

🇲🇽 jiff

Etymology

The term 'jiff' is believed to be an abbreviation of 'jiffy', which itself originated in the early 20th century. The word 'jiffy' can be traced back to the 1920s, with possible roots in the term 'jiff', which denotes a very short time. The origins of the word beyond this point are somewhat debated; some linguists suggest it may have stemmed from the English dialectal word 'jif', used to refer to a brief moment. Over time, 'jiffy' and later 'jiff' have come to be used in various informal contexts to signify quickness or immediacy. The word has found its way into popular culture and is often heard in casual conversation.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #42,005, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.