stuffily

Friendly

Sure! Let's break down the word "stuffily."

Definition:

The word "stuffily" is an adverb that describes doing something in a way that is formal, stiff, or lacking warmth. It can also imply a sense of being overly serious or not friendly.

Usage Instructions:

You can use "stuffily" when you want to describe someone's manner of speaking or behaving that seems overly formal or unfriendly. It often suggests that someone is not relaxed or open.

Example:

• "The teacher spoke stuffily during the class, making it hard for the students to feel comfortable asking questions."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced contexts, "stuffily" can be used to describe attitudes or behaviors in formal settings. For example: - "The politician addressed the crowd stuffily, as if he were reading from a script without engaging with the audience."

Word Variants:

• Stuffy (adjective): Referring to a place that is not well-ventilated or feels cramped, or describing someone as overly formal.
• Stuffiness (noun): The quality of being stuffy; it can refer to both a physical condition (like a stuffy nose) and a social behavior.

Different Meanings:

• Stuffy (adjective): Besides the adverbial use, "stuffy" can also mean having difficulty breathing through the nose due to a cold or allergies (e.g., "I have a stuffy nose today.").

Synonyms:

• Stiffly
• Formally
• Unwarmly
• Coldly

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

Although "stuffily" does not have specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to it, you might encounter related phrases: - "Stiff upper lip": This idiom refers to staying calm and not showing emotions, often in a stuffy or reserved manner. - "Put on airs": This means to behave in a way that shows one thinks they are better than others, which can be described as stuffily.

Summary:

"Stuffily" is used to describe a formal or unfriendly manner of speaking or behaving. It can be applied in various contexts, such as in social interactions or formal situations.

Academic

Adverb

1. in a stuffy manner
   • `Come in please,' he said stuffily

Synonyms

• stodgily