stuffiness
gb/stˈʌfˌaɪns/ us/stˈʌfˌaɪns/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
state
1
unpleasant lack of fresh air
an uncomfortable feeling because the air is not fresh
Usage pattern:
the stuffiness of [place]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'stuff' (things) or use 'stuffiness' when they mean general 'messiness' or 'fullness'.
Synonyms
airlessness (focuses on lack of ventilation rather than comfort.)
|
staleness (emphasizes old, not-fresh air.)
|
mugginess (adds a sense of warm, humid heaviness.)
Antonyms
freshness (describes clean, fresh air.)
|
ventilation (the movement of fresh air through a space.)
Collocations
the stuffiness of the room
|indoor stuffiness
|room stuffiness
|office stuffiness
|stifling stuffiness
|summer stuffiness
|reduce the stuffiness
|combat the stuffiness
|escape the stuffiness
|complain about the stuffiness
Themes
daily_life
|home
|weather
|health
Examples
- The stuffiness in the meeting room got worse as more people arrived.
- We opened the windows to get rid of the stuffiness.
- The hotel lobby looked elegant, but the stuffiness made it hard to relax.
Learner examples
- The room had a lot of stuffiness.
- I opened a window because of the stuffiness.
Noun
B2
state
2
blocked nose feeling
a feeling that your nose is blocked
Usage pattern:
nasal stuffiness; stuffiness in [someone's] nose
Common mistake:
Learners may say 'I have stuffiness' without specifying the nose; in this meaning it is usually 'nasal stuffiness' or 'stuffiness in my nose'.
Synonyms
congestion (more general; can refer to nose or chest.)
|
blocked nose (more everyday and direct.)
Antonyms
clear breathing (breathing easily through an unblocked nose.)
|
clear sinuses (focuses on the absence of blockage.)
Collocations
nasal stuffiness
|sinus stuffiness
|morning stuffiness
|seasonal stuffiness
|relieve stuffiness
|persistent stuffiness
|stuffiness and sneezing
|cause stuffiness
|feel stuffiness
|stuffiness in my nose
Themes
health
|body
Examples
- The medicine helped with my stuffiness, but I still had a sore throat.
- Allergies can cause sneezing, itchy eyes, and nasal stuffiness.
- I woke up with stuffiness and couldn’t breathe through my nose.
Learner examples
- I have stuffiness in my nose.
- This spray helps my stuffiness.
Noun
C1
property
3
overly formal, stiff manner
behavior that is too formal and not relaxed
Usage pattern:
the stuffiness of [someone/something]; social stuffiness
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with the physical air meaning; context usually makes it clear (people, rules, atmosphere at events).
Synonyms
formality (can be positive; 'stuffiness' is usually negative.)
|
primness (suggests moral strictness as well as formality.)
|
stiffness (emphasizes a lack of ease in behavior.)
Antonyms
informality (a relaxed, not-formal style.)
|
ease (a comfortable, natural manner.)
|
friendliness (a warm, welcoming attitude.)
Collocations
social stuffiness
|cultural stuffiness
|institutional stuffiness
|the stuffiness of the club
|the stuffiness of the event
|old-fashioned stuffiness
|shake off the stuffiness
|cut through the stuffiness
|an air of stuffiness
|escape the stuffiness
Themes
social
|emotions
|culture
|work
Examples
- Her jokes helped cut through the stuffiness of the formal dinner.
- The new manager brought energy to a department known for its stuffiness.
- Some people love the tradition; others find the ceremony’s stuffiness unbearable.
Learner examples
- The party had a feeling of stuffiness.
- His stuffiness made people uncomfortable.
Grammar
Dictionary form
stuffiness
IPA
GB/stˈʌfˌaɪns/
US/stˈʌfˌaɪns/
Syllables & stress
stuffi - ness (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (stuffi)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: stuffiness
- Plural: stuffiness
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.