What it means
Miffed means mildly annoyed or a bit put out, usually in that buttoned-up British way where you're not kicking off, just quietly stewing and maybe going a touch frosty. It can also mean slightly offended after a rude little moment. Feels a bit old-school and a bit posh, but people still use it.
Usage examples
"I’m proper miffed they started the pub quiz without me. I was in the loo thirty seconds, mate, and now Dave’s nicked my seat."
"She was a bit miffed she did not get an invite, but she would never say so out loud, just go quiet."
"I was miffed they changed the meeting time and did not tell me, so I turned up to an empty room."
"He looked well miffed when they gave his parking spot to the new bloke, but he just did that tight-lipped nod and carried on."
"Don’t get miffed, I only ate one chip off your plate. Alright, maybe three, but you were moving slow and destiny got involved."
Where it comes from
Miffed comes from miff, an English noun and verb recorded in the late 1700s for a petty quarrel, slight offence, or little burst of annoyance. By the early 1800s, miffed was settled in as the adjective, carrying that same small-scale huff energy rather than proper blazing anger.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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