noun / verb

tiff

TIF/tɪf/

A small quarrel, especially between people who are usually friendly.

Two friends have a tiff over the last pastry on their table.

Two middle-aged friends sharing a café table have a mildly irritated disagreement over the last pastry: one draws the plate toward herself while the other points at it with a small, indignant gesture.

Etymology

The word first meant an outburst of temper or peevishness, then a petty quarrel. Its origin is uncertain; the OED suggests it may imitate the sound of a slight puff of air or gas.

In context

Vivid Audio Library364:23

It was not the first little tiff that had taken place between the two girls. Chrissy seemed to have changed lately. She was moody and self-absorbed and ready to fire up on very slight provocation.

A Patriotic School Girl by Angela Brazil | Full Classic British School Story Audiobook

More examples

We had a little tiff, but we're friends again now.
Their occasional tiffs never last more than a few minutes.
The sisters sometimes tiff over whose turn it is to drive.

Forms

tiff · tiffs · tiffed · tiffing

Similar words

spat: A brief, sharp disagreement, not necessarily between friendly people.
squabble: Emphasizes noisy or childish arguing over something unimportant.