Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Stuffy Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ˜ท
Add to dictionary

stuffy

[หˆstสŒfi ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

Feeling uncomfortable because the air is not fresh or too warm, and you are unable to breathe easily.

Synonyms

oppressive, stifling, suffocating.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
stuffy

Best used to describe a place or atmosphere that lacks fresh air, making it feel uncomfortable or unpleasant. Commonly associated with rooms or buildings where windows are not often opened.

  • The office feels stuffy because the windows have been closed all day.
  • Whenever I enter that old library, it's always so stuffy and musty.
suffocating

Best used when the lack of air or overwhelming conditions make it feel almost impossible to breathe. Can also be used metaphorically to describe situations or relationships that feel overly restrictive and uncomfortable. Often carries a negative connotation.

  • The smoke in the room was suffocating, making it hard to stay inside.
  • His controlling behavior was suffocating her, and she needed space to breathe.
stifling

Used for environments where the heat or a lack of air circulation is so intense that it feels difficult to breathe, often creating a sense of being trapped. It can also be used metaphorically to describe limiting or restricting situations.

  • The room was so stifling that everyone rushed to open the windows.
  • She found the corporate culture stifling and longed for more creative freedom.
oppressive

Typically used to describe a situation or environment that feels overwhelmingly unpleasant or heavy, often due to high temperatures, humidity, or psychological stress. This word can also have a negative connotation when referring to social or political conditions.

  • The heat in the city was so oppressive that it was difficult to step outside.
  • The oppressive regime made life unbearable for the citizens.

Examples of usage

  • I always feel stuffy in this room.
  • The stuffy atmosphere in the office made it hard to concentrate.
Context #2 | Adjective

old-fashioned

Having old-fashioned and conservative attitudes or ideas.

Synonyms

conservative, traditional, uptight.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
stuffy

Used when describing an environment or a person that is dull, uninteresting, or overly formal. This word often carries a negative connotation.

  • The office was so stuffy and quiet, it made me uncomfortable
  • Elaine's parents are quite stuffy and old-fashioned
traditional

Used when describing customs, beliefs, or behaviors that are handed down from generation to generation. The word is neutral in tone.

  • They had a traditional wedding with all the customs of their culture
  • Traditional dishes are always served during holiday celebrations
conservative

Used when describing someone who holds traditional values and is cautious about change. It can be applied to politics, lifestyle, or fashion.

  • He has conservative views about marriage and family
  • Sarah wore a conservative dress to the meeting
uptight

Used when describing someone who is anxious, worried, or overly concerned with rules and propriety. This word usually has a negative connotation.

  • He's always so uptight about deadlines and schedules
  • You need to relax; you're too uptight about everything

Examples of usage

  • The stuffy old man refused to change with the times.
  • She found the stuffy traditions of the country club stifling.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • In psychology, feeling 'stuffy' can relate to environments that feel overly controlled or restricted, leading to stress.
  • People often associate stuffiness with formal settings which may inhibit open communication.

Health

  • Stuffy noses are commonly caused by allergies, colds, or sinus infections, leading to difficulty breathing through the nose.
  • Air quality can contribute to stuffiness; poor ventilation in rooms can increase the feeling of heaviness and discomfort.

Cultural Reference

  • In British English, 'stuffy' is often used to describe someone who is overly serious or formal with no sense of humor.
  • The term might evoke images of stuffy dinner parties where everyone is too proper and thereโ€™s no fun.

Literature

  • Various literary works depict stuffy environments, using it as a metaphor for constrained characters or societies.
  • In some poetry, stuffiness represents a lack of freedom, drawing contrasts between oppressive atmospheres and open spaces.

Origin of 'stuffy'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Middle English word 'stuffe', which meant to fill or pack tightly.
  • Originally, it referred more to physical fullness, like a stuffed pillow, before evolving to describe a stuffy atmosphere.

The word 'stuffy' originated from the Middle English word 'stof,' meaning to fill. Over time, it evolved to refer to a feeling of being filled with something, such as air in a room. The adjective 'stuffy' has been used since the 16th century to describe both physical discomfort and outdated attitudes.

See also: stuff, stuffed, stuffing.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,863, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.