huffily

Huffily is an adverb used to describe an action, speech, or demeanor performed with irritation or in a sulky, resentful mood, as if one were in a huff. It often appears in narrative or dialogue to convey a character’s temper without explicit commentary from the author.

Etymology and related forms: Huffily derives from the noun or adjective huff/huffy, with the adverbial suffix -ily. The base sense of huff involves a puff of breath or a pout of irritation, and the phrase in a huff is an established idiom in English dating back several centuries.

Usage notes: Huffily typically modifies verbs or verbs of speech, such as in “she spoke huffily” or “he muttered huffily.” The term carries a pejorative or humorous tone and is more common in informal or literary writing than in formal expository prose. It signals mood and attitude rather than a straightforward display of anger.

Examples: “She huffily folded her arms and walked away.” “He huffily declined the offer, insisting he needed more time.” In both cases, the adverb emphasizes a sulky or resentful manner rather than calm, measured behavior.

See also: In a huff, huffy, huffiness, petulant, irritable. These related terms describe similar moods or behaviors and are used to convey a temperamental or short-tempered disposition.