Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Easily offended; oversensitive.
  • adjective Difficult to cultivate. Used of plants.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Easily irritated.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Examples

  • These are the economic morons that decide my liberties, and they get miffy when I point out that they have no right to do so.

    Thomas Frank wants a class war. Ann Althouse 2008

  • Why be all miffy and hissy and in a bitch-slapping mood guys, about not being in the military when you can do the work you like in prisons and police forces?

    See, it's not all about the election today. Ann Althouse 2006

  • She has managed to put her shoes back on, albeit on the wrong feet, and has slung her miffy bag containing a book, her water cup, two cars and a plastic harmonica over her shoulder.

    burnt fingers 2005

  • Perhaps if I add that I was wearing miffy pyjamas at the time it will do the trick?

    just call me rita 2005

  • I do like miffy, but I tend to express this by buying Tadpole pyjamas rather than wearing them myself.

    cherry lips 2005

  • She has managed to put her shoes back on, albeit on the wrong feet, and has slung her miffy bag containing a book, her water cup, two cars and a plastic harmonica over her shoulder.

    pictures 2005

  • There is a lovely variety of this species called _V.g. variegata_; in shape and habit it resembles the type though scarcely as vigorous, but not at all "miffy."

    Hardy Perennials and Old Fashioned Flowers Describing the Most Desirable Plants, for Borders, Rockeries, and Shrubberies. John Wood

  • Jest like a hornet's nest: shake a stick at ary one o 'the group, an' they all come buzzin 'round te'ble miffy in less

    The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 85, November, 1864 Various

  • Maybe Mr. Robert was a little miffy because I hadn't been a mind reader and played Clifford for a favorite from the start.

    Torchy Sewell Ford 1907

  • Says he, quite miffy like, 'Don't he know the way to court as well as I do?

    The Clockmaker Thomas Chandler Haliburton 1830

Comments

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  • To banter with Grandpa is iffy.

    His temper is lost in a jiffy,

    So raillery's out

    If he's feeling his gout.

    It's then that he's at his most miffy.

    June 14, 2015