Word
jiffy
US/ˈdʒɪfi/
UK/dʒˈɪfi/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a very short moment of time. You say 'in a jiffy' when you mean something will happen very fast.
n. a very brief, indefinite period of time, typically appearing in the phrase 'in a jiffy' to mean very soon or very quickly.
Examples
“I fix the shelf in a jiffy.”
“The barista says your coffee will be ready in a jiffy while she steams the milk.”
“Though physicists once defined the jiffy as the time light needs to cross a centimetre, most people simply use it to promise a quick return.”
Examples
simple
“I fix the shelf in a jiffy.”
contextual
“The barista says your coffee will be ready in a jiffy while she steams the milk.”
complex
“Though physicists once defined the jiffy as the time light needs to cross a centimetre, most people simply use it to promise a quick return.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “jiffy” in context.
Verb
01. do in jiffy
“I'll clean the room in a jiffy before the guests arrive.”
verb + prep + noun
02. finish in jiffy
“This repair will finish in a jiffy, so you can wait.”
verb + prep + noun
03. hold on jiffy
“Hold on a jiffy, I'm almost ready to leave.”
verb + prep + noun
04. return in jiffy
“Stay here, I'll return in a jiffy with the tickets.”
verb + prep + noun
05. wait jiffy
“Wait a jiffy while I grab my jacket and keys.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. little jiffy
“Give me a little jiffy to check the train times.”
adj + noun
07. quick jiffy
“I'll be ready in a quick jiffy, just let me get my shoes.”
adj + noun
08. back in a jiffy
“Wait here, I'll be back in a jiffy with your change.”
09. be done in a jiffy
“Don't worry, this form will be done in a jiffy.”
10. in a jiffy
“Dinner will be ready in a jiffy, so wash your hands.”
11. in just a jiffy
“The doctor will see you in just a jiffy.”
12. wait a jiffy
“Wait a jiffy while I check the bus times online.”
Usage
Appears almost always in the phrase 'in a jiffy' meaning very soon or very quickly.
Etymology
Origin unknown; said to have been thieves’ cant for “lightning”. Also formerly written "giffy", to which a connection with gliff has been proposed. As a kind of envelope, a genericization of Jiffy bag.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/jiffy