# stuffy

/ˈstəfi/ (US) · /stˈʌfi/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stuffy
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

lacking fresh air or feeling too warm. It also describes people or places that are very formal, old-fashioned, and boring.

For teachers: lacking fresh air or ventilation; also describes a social atmosphere or person perceived as excessively formal, conservative, or dull. Often used predicatively to describe a room or attributively to describe a person's character.

## Examples

- The room is very stuffy, so please open a window.
- The office had a stuffy atmosphere where everyone had to wear a suit and follow strict, old-fashioned rules.
- While the exterior of the building was grand and impressive, the interior felt stuffy and cramped, as if the air had not circulated since the previous century.

## Usage notes

- Often follows linking verbs like 'feel', 'get', or 'become' when referring to air quality.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.