The Meaning of Chuffed: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of chuffed? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word chuffed, including its definition, etymology, usage, example sentences, and more!

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What does the word chuffed mean?

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary of the English Language and Cambridge English Dictionary as well as other sources like Collins English Dictionary, The Random House Unabridged Dictionary, or the OED, the word chuffed is an informal British English adjective that means pleased or delighted. This is pronounced chuft or ˈtʃʌft.

Chuffed is of largely unknown origin, and some people see it as a South African curse word. The word chuff, according to Urban Dictionary, can also refer to a female’s privates. Chuffpipe refers to an anus/asshole/arseholes, or chuffer or chuffing, which is an insult or derogatory label for a person. People often embellish the term chuffed with various words and expletives, listed below from Stack Exchange. Don’t use the ones that feature a dirty word in polite company!

  •  Chuffed to oil-bumps
  •  Chuffed pink
  •  Chuffed to little naffy breaks
  •  Chuffed to buttocks
  •  Chuffed to naffy breaks
  •  Chuffed to fuck
  •  Bo-chuffed
  •  Chuffed to little mint-balls
  •  Chuffed to arseholes

Many different languages use words that are equivalent to the word chuffed to describe someone that is pleased or satisfied. It is very interesting how different words end up with their translations based on the source and origin of each individual word. This list of translations for the word chuffed is provided by Word Sense.

  •  Catalan: content‎
  •  Finnish: hyvillään‎, mielissään‎, tyytyväinen‎, iloinen‎
  •  French: content‎, satisfait‎
  •  Russian: дово́льный‎ (masc.), ра́достный‎
  •  Hindi: ख़ुश‎ (xuś)
  •  Mandarin: 高興‎, 高兴‎ (gāoxìng)
  •  Sorani: چاو ڕوون‎ (çawrrún), خۆشحاڵ‎ (xosh-hall)
  •  Yiddish: צופֿרידן‎
  •  Cantonese: 高興‎, 高兴‎ (gou1 hing3)
  •  Swedish: nöjd‎ (common)
  •  Irish: áthasach‎, as a predicative, usually expressed by a construction with the noun áthas‎ (masc.), sásta‎
  •  Italian: felice‎, lieto‎, contento‎
  •  Japanese: 嬉しい‎ (うれしい, ureshii)
  •  Persian: خوشحال‎ (xošhâl)
  •  Arabic: مَسْرُور‎
  •  Portuguese: contente‎, satisfeito‎
  •  Armenian: գոհ‎
  •  German: froh‎, zufrieden‎
  •  Urdu: خوش‎ (xuś)
  •  Vietnamese: hân hạnh‎

What is the origin of the word chuffed?

According to Etymonline, the word chuffed (adj.) has been used as an adjective since the year 1860 in the 20th century. This is chiefly British and only really used in the British dialect. The word chuffed comes from the obsolete chuffed, meaning swollen with fat, a 16c word. There is another British dialectical word chuff, which means displeased or gruff. This 19c word comes from choff meaning rude fellow, or a coarse, fat-headed, blunt clown. The origin of this term is unknown, and the positive meaning has been used since the 1950s. It was originally only used in the northern English dialect meaning ‘proud’, then adopted by the military, then used in wider society with more generalised usage.

What are synonyms and antonyms of chuffed?

There are many different words that have the same meaning as the word chuffed. These are known as synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same definition as another word or phrase. Synonyms are very useful to know if you want to expand your knowledge of the English language and if you want to avoid repeating yourself. This list of synonyms for the word chuffed is provided by Thesaurus

  •  jubilant
  •  intoxicated
  •  laughing
  •  overjoyed
  •  blest
  •  tickled
  •  gratified
  •  chirpy
  •  happy 
  •  pleased
  •  elated
  •  gay
  •  sunny
  •  walking on air
  •  tickled pink
  •  peppy
  •  gleeful
  •  playful
  •  upbeat
  •  cheerful
  •  light
  •  can’t complain
  •  chipper
  •  exultant
  •  merry
  •  captivated
  •  blessed
  •  peaceful
  •  blithe
  •  glad
  •  ecstatic
  •  thrilled
  •  in high spirits
  •  convivial
  •  joyful
  •  up
  •  content
  •  sparkling
  •  lively
  •  jolly
  •  joyous
  •  pleasant
  •  on cloud nine
  •  perky
  •  delighted
  •  blissful
  •  mirthful
  •  flying high
  •  looking good
  •  contented
  •  satisfied

There are also numerous different words that have opposite meanings as the term chuffed. which are known as antonyms. These opposite words are also very useful to know if you want to try and expand your knowledge of the English language and grammar. This list of antonyms for the word chuffed is also provided by Thesaurus.

  •  sick
  •  disconcerted
  •  bothered
  •  thrown
  •  bummed out
  •  shocked
  •  overwrought
  •  antsy
  •  confused
  •  low
  •  upset
  •  psyched out
  •  overturned
  •  capsized
  •  amazed
  •  rattled
  •  muddled
  •  dismayed
  •  ill
  •  disordered
  •  troubled
  •  toppled
  •  tipped over
  •  unzipped
  •  frantic
  •  come apart
  •  disturbed
  •  hurt
  •  in disarray
  •  shook up
  •  jumpy
  •  disquieted
  •  broken up
  •  all torn up
  •  apprehensive
  •  blue
  •  unsettled
  •  tumbled
  •  dragged
  •  worried
  •  spilled
  •  agitated
  •  chaotic
  •  jittery
  •  upside-down
  •  grieved
  •  distressed
  •  ruffled
  •  unglued

How can chuffed be used in a sentence?

The word chuffed can be used in many different ways in the English language. Using words in a sentence is a great way to memorize their definitions. You can also try making flashcards or quizzes for yourself to test your knowledge. Try using this word in a sentence today! Below are several examples of chuffed to get you started.

I was chuffed when I turned the dial to my favorite radio station. The old music reminded me of my childhood in London. Us kids would run around listening to the radio all day. It brought back the recollection of the first meeting of me and my husband when we were just ten years old.

The man was chuffed to live the sporting life, and filled with the emotion of pride when his team – Argentina – won the championship.

I felt chuffed when I deleted my Twitter account and Facebook account. I felt free in a way I never knew I could.

Overall, the word chuffed means satisfied or pleased, and it is an informal word. While this word can also be used in a negative way, the modern Brit will usually use it to mean happy or pleased. This word is of unknown origin. 

Sources:

  1. CHUFFED Synonyms: 17 Synonyms & Antonyms for CHUFFED | Thesaurus 
  2. UPSET Synonyms: 254 Synonyms & Antonyms for UPSET | Thesaurus 
  3. chuff | Origin and meaning of chuff | Online Etymology Dictionary 
  4. Chuffed: Meaning, Origin, Translations | Word Sense
  5. Chuffed | Definition of Chuffed | Merriam-Webster 
  6. CHUFFED | Cambridge English Dictionary 
  7. Chuffed – happy or unhappy? | English Language & Usage Stack Exchange