huff
/hʌf/ (bre, ipa) · /hʌf/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhəf/ (ame, mw)
huff — noun
- huffsingular
- huffsplural
1. a state of feeling hurt and annoyed, often because you think someone treated you
a state of feeling hurt and annoyed, often because you think someone treated you badly.
Abigail went upstairs in a huff after her brother laughed at her drawing.
in a huff after feeling insulted
When the coach changed the team list, Rohan sat in a huff by the door.
Baraka spent the whole bus ride in a huff after losing his window seat.
Instead of joining dinner, Jin stayed in a huff and pushed rice around his bowl.
- good humour
a cheerful and easy mood instead of offended annoyance
- calm
lack of emotional upset
文法句型
be in a huff
go off in a huff
用法筆記
Most often appears in the phrase 'in a huff' after a small insult, disappointment, or argument. It describes the upset mood itself, not the words someone says while angry.
常見錯誤
2. a brief burst of offended anger that appears quickly and fades again soon.
a brief burst of offended anger that appears quickly and fades again soon.
After the ticket machine failed again, Christopher had a huff at the delay.
have a huff at + annoyance
Roya had a quick huff when the cafe ran out of almond cake.
The toddler had a huff when the red cup was still in the sink.
Renata's huff over the seating plan faded before the speeches began.
- shrug
shows little emotional reaction to the problem
- calm response
measured reaction without a burst of annoyance
文法句型
have a huff
a huff over + something
用法筆記
Usually refers to a short show of annoyance about something small. Compared with sense 1, this sense focuses on the little episode itself rather than the continuing mood around it.
常見錯誤
huff — verb
- huffpresent simple I / you / we / they
- huffshe / she / it
- huffedpast simple
- huffing-ing form
1. to answer in a short voice that sounds annoyed or hurt.
to answer in a short voice that sounds annoyed or hurt.
"I'm not asking twice," Wren huffed as the boys kept splashing water.
huff + quoted speech
Abigail huffed that she could carry her own bag and walked ahead.
huff + that-clause
When the clerk checked the receipt again, Christopher huffed a tired reply.
"Fine, keep the last slice," Roya huffed from the kitchen doorway.
- reply calmly
answer without showing offence or irritation
- say gently
soft and kind rather than sharp or hurt
文法句型
huff + quoted words
huff + that-clause
用法筆記
Often introduces short spoken protests, complaints, or wounded replies. Unlike sense 2, the core idea is the annoyed way of speaking, not the sound of heavy breathing.
常見錯誤
2. to breathe out with loud effort, especially because you are tired or working har
to breathe out with loud effort, especially because you are tired or working hard.
After carrying the sofa upstairs, Baraka stood in the hall huffing for air.
huff for air after effort
The old dog huffed beside the gate after chasing pigeons across the yard.
Steam huffed from the kettle while Jin sliced ginger at the sink.
Rohan huffed up the last hill and dropped his bag by the bench.
- breathe evenly
take smooth, regular breaths without effort
- rest quietly
recover without noisy breathing
文法句型
huff for air
huff up + hill/stairs
steam huffs from + object
用法筆記
Often describes heavy breathing after physical effort, but it can also be used of animals, engines, or steam making short noisy bursts. Distinguish from sense 1: here the sound comes from breath or air, not annoyed speech.