What does "miffed" mean?
"Miffed" means slightly offended or annoyed. Here's how British people use this word and how strong the feeling really is.
What it means
Slightly offended, annoyed, or put out - but not furious. It describes a mild irritation, often at being overlooked or treated unfairly.
"She was a bit miffed that she wasn't invited."
"He seemed miffed about the whole thing."
"I'm not angry, just a bit miffed."
How strong is it? Low to medium. Miffed is softer than angry, annoyed, or offended. It often carries a slight wounded pride element - less about rage, more about feeling slighted.
Register
Informal, British English. It sounds slightly old-fashioned but is still commonly used, especially by older speakers or for comic effect.
A native would say
- "A bit put out" - similar level of mild annoyance
- "Not impressed" - British understatement for deeper displeasure
- "A bit narked" - British informal, slightly stronger
- "Irritated" - more direct
Why British English has this
British culture places high value on indirect communication. Miffed lets you express genuine displeasure without escalating the emotional temperature of a conversation.
What does "miffed" mean?
Slightly offended, annoyed, or put out - but not furious. It describes a mild irritation, often at being overlooked or treated unfairly.
"She was a bit miffed that she wasn't invited."
"He seemed miffed about the whole thing."
"I'm not angry, just a bit miffed."
How strong is it? Low to medium. Miffed is softer than angry, annoyed, or offended. It often carries a slight wounded pride element - less about rage, more about feeling slighted.
Is "miffed" formal or informal?
Informal, British English. It sounds slightly old-fashioned but is still commonly used, especially by older speakers or for comic effect.
What's another way to say "miffed"?
- "A bit put out" - similar level of mild annoyance
- "Not impressed" - British understatement for deeper displeasure
- "A bit narked" - British informal, slightly stronger
- "Irritated" - more direct
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