verb / noun
miff
MIF/mɪf/
A brief offended annoyance.
Taking the last biscuit miffs the woman who is reaching for it.
Etymology
The verb comes from a noun meaning a fit of petulant displeasure: to miff people is to put them into that mood. The noun may imitate an exclamation of disgust, but its origin is uncertain.
More examples
- She is in a miff over the seating plan.
- His dismissive reply miffed me, but I soon forgot it.
- I feel miffed when someone takes credit for my work.
Forms
miff · miffs · miffed · miffing