Miffed Meaning and Definition
Miffed
Pronunciation
/ˈmɪft/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
A person or thing that is irked, annoyed, or displeased; a grudge or feeling of resentment
Examples
- She was miffed at her brother for borrowing her car without asking.
- The team was miffed at the referee’s decision.
Synonyms
- Irked
- Displeased
- Annoyed
Antonyms
- Delighted
- Pleased
- Satisfied
Etymology
The word “miffed” comes from the Old English word “mifian”, which means “to thwart or frustrate”. Over time, the meaning of the word evolved to include the senses of being irked or annoyed.
Additional Information
Miffed is often used to describe a feeling of annoyance or displeasure, especially when someone feels that they have been unfairly treated or ignored. The word can also be used to describe a sense of grudge or resentment that builds up over time.
In some cases, the word miffed can be used to describe a feeling of disappointment or sadness, especially when something has not turned out as expected.
Usage Notes
The word miffed is often used informally, but it can also be used in more formal contexts to convey a sense of annoyance or displeasure.
Be careful not to use the word miffed too loosely, as it can come across as petty or disproportionate to the situation at hand.
Cultural References
The word miffed has been featured in several TV shows and movies, including the popular sitcom “Friends”, where the character Joey Tribbiani uses the word to describe his feelings when his girlfriend breaks up with him.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- “Miffed at someone” means to be annoyed or displeased with them.
- “Miffed about something” means to be annoyed or upset about it.
Related Words or Phrases
- Irked
- Displeased
- Annoyed
- Appalled
Collocations
- Miffed at the outcome
- Miffed about the decision
- Miffed by the news
Frequency of Use
The word miffed is relatively rare in modern language, but it is still used regularly in everyday conversation.
Common Misspellings
- Miffered
- Mifed
- Miffeed