stuffy
stuffy — adjective
- stuffypositive
- stuffiercomparative
- stuffiestsuperlative
1. A room, building, or enclosed space that feels warm and uncomfortable because ai
A room, building, or enclosed space that feels warm and uncomfortable because air is not able to flow in and out freely.
The hotel room felt so stuffy that Manuela opened both windows wide.
so + adjective + that-clause showing result
After three hours in the stuffy conference room, Selim stepped outside for fresh air.
attributive use: stuffy + noun (conference room)
Niran found the train carriage too stuffy and moved to stand near the door.
Even with the fan running, the small kitchen became stuffy as soon as the stove was lit.
The old library was warm and stuffy, with thick curtains blocking every window.
- airy
having plenty of fresh air moving through
- well-ventilated
designed to let fresh air circulate freely
文法句型
stuffy + noun (attributive)
feel + stuffy
too + stuffy + to-infinitive
用法筆記
This sense almost always describes a place — typically a room, vehicle, or indoor space — not a person. The feeling of discomfort comes from stale air, not just heat.
常見錯誤
2. Describes a person, rule, event, or atmosphere that is so serious, formal, and o
Describes a person, rule, event, or atmosphere that is so serious, formal, and old-fashioned that people feel uncomfortable rather than relaxed or welcome.
Asher found the bank manager too stuffy and switched to a more casual credit union.
find + noun + too stuffy
The dinner party was so stuffy that Saira wished she had stayed home in her pyjamas.
so + stuffy + that-clause (criticism)
Hui prefers relaxed workplaces; she finds stuffy corporate meetings exhausting and pointless.
Jude left the social club because the members had stuffy attitudes about who could join.
Megan's grandfather had rather stuffy ideas about what women should wear to work.
- old-fashioned
broader — can be neutral or positive; 'stuffy' is always negative
- stodgy
similar but suggests heavy, slow, and dull rather than formal
- prim
fussy about correct behaviour, especially in a self-satisfied way
文法句型
stuffy + noun (people, rules, meeting, atmosphere)
too + stuffy
find + noun + stuffy
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (WITHOUT AIR): this sense applies to people, rules, and social atmospheres. If you call a person 'stuffy', you mean they are too formal and old-fashioned — not that they have a blocked nose.
常見錯誤
3. Describes a condition where nasal congestion from a cold, flu, or allergies make
Describes a condition where nasal congestion from a cold, flu, or allergies makes breathing through the nose difficult.
Eleni could not taste her soup properly because her nose was so stuffy from the cold.
so stuffy + from + cause (cold)
Paul bought a steam inhaler to relieve his stuffy nose during allergy season, after days of sneezing and poor sleep.
attributive: stuffy nose + [purpose]
With a stuffy nose and a sore throat, Devika decided to take the day off from work.
The baby was fussy all night because her nose was stuffy and she could not breathe easily.
Lying down made Nala's stuffy nose feel worse, so she propped herself up with extra pillows.
- clear
able to breathe freely through the nose
文法句型
stuffy nose
nose + feels + stuffy
have + a stuffy nose
用法筆記
Only the nose is described as 'stuffy' in this sense — not the ears, throat, or chest. For a blocked ear, use 'clogged' or 'blocked'. For a blocked chest, use 'congested'.