stuffy

Something "stuffy" often describes a room that feels closed in and has no fresh air, like an attic full of old furniture or a small office with the windows shut. It can also describe a blocked nose when you have a cold or allergies. In another common sense, "stuffy" describes people, places, or events that feel too formal, too serious, or a bit old-fashioned. A stuffy dinner party, for example, may feel full of rules, careful manners, and not much fun.

The word usually gives a feeling of discomfort or tightness, either physical or social. A stuffy room is hard to sit in for long. A stuffy nose makes breathing harder. A stuffy person may seem proper, rigid, and not very relaxed. You might even call an office or museum stuffy if it feels too formal and not very welcoming.

The word "stuffy" has several common meanings, and they are connected by the idea of discomfort, closeness, or a lack of ease. In the most literal sense, it describes air that feels hot, stale, and not fresh. If a room has been shut for hours, with no window open and no air moving, it may feel "stuffy" and unpleasant to sit in.

"Stuffy" is also often used for a blocked nose. When you have a cold, allergies, or sinus trouble, your nose may feel stuffy, making it harder to breathe normally. This is one of the most everyday uses of the word.

Another very common meaning is social rather than physical. A stuffy person, group, or place feels too formal, too proper, or too old-fashioned. The word often suggests that there is not much warmth, humor, or ease. A stuffy school, club, office, or party may seem full of rules, careful manners, and a serious tone that makes people feel less relaxed.

The word can also be used more broadly for things like meetings, writing, or entertainment. A stuffy meeting may feel stiff and over-formal. A book, speech, or film may be called "stuffy" if it seems dry, serious, and hard to enjoy because it lacks energy or warmth.

Whether it describes air, a nose, a person, or an atmosphere, "stuffy" usually points to the same general feeling: something is closed, uncomfortable, or not easy to relax in.