What does 'chuffed' mean?

What it means: Very pleased, proud, or delighted about something. "I'm chuffed" means "I'm really happy about this." It's warm and genuine - not ironic.

Where it comes from: British dialect, possibly from the word "chuff" which historically meant pleased or puffed up with pride. It's been in widespread use since the mid-20th century.

• "I'm absolutely chuffed with how it turned out."
• "She was chuffed to bits when she found out." (Very pleased)
• "Chuffed to get the promotion."

"Chuffed to bits": This is the common intensified form. It means very pleased - as if you're so happy you've been broken into pieces of happiness.

The opposite - "chuffed" in older dialect: In some regional British English, "chuffed" historically meant displeased. This usage is now rare, but worth knowing. Context makes it clear which meaning is intended.

• "Pleased" - neutral
• "Over the moon" - very happy, often used for big news
• "Thrilled" - formal version of intense happiness
• "Dead chuffed" (Northern British) - intensified version

Register: Informal British English. Americans would need it explained. Not suitable for formal writing.

Tags: British English, slang, feelings, happiness, informal