# TIFF

/ˈtɪf/ (US) · /tˈɪf/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tiff
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a small argument

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a small, unimportant argument or disagreement between people who are usually friendly.

For teachers: a petty quarrel or slight disagreement, typically between friends or romantic partners.

- The couple had a little tiff about whose turn it was to wash the dishes.
- What began as a minor tiff over office supplies eventually escalated into a significant rift between the two departments.

### 2. image file format

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

Stands for Tagged Image File Format. A type of computer file used for high-quality photos.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Tagged Image File Format. A flexible, adaptable file format for handling images and data within a single file.

- The photographer saved the final edits as a TIFF to keep all the detail.
- Because the publisher required lossless compression for the art book, all high-resolution scans were delivered in TIFF format rather than JPEG.

## Examples

- The photographer saved the final edit as a TIFF file.
- Because the magazine requires the highest possible print quality, the editor requested all images in TIFF format instead of JPEG.
- While JPEG files are more convenient for web use due to their small size, TIFF remains the industry standard for archival purposes because it preserves every pixel of data through multiple saves.

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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.