naff

[ naf ]

/ næf /

Chiefly British Slang.

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adjective

unstylish; lacking taste; inferior.

verb (used without object)

to goof off; fool around (often followed by around or about).

Verb Phrases

naff off, go away: used as an exclamation of impatience.

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of naff

First recorded in 1955–60, for an earlier sense; perhaps via Polari from Italian, for the adjective; perhaps a corruption of either eff or fanny, for the verb

OTHER WORDS FROM naff

naffness, noun

Words nearby naff

NADPH, nads, nae, naething, naevus, naff, naff off, Nafl, NAFTA, nag, Naga

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use naff in a sentence

I realize it sounds so naff as I’m saying it to you, but they had people in tears.
To Keep Workers in Today's Economy, Flexibility Is More Important Than Money|Emma Barker|April 24, 2022|Time

British Dictionary definitions for naff

naff

/ (næf) /

adjective

British slang inferior; in poor taste

Derived forms of naff

naffness, noun

Word Origin for naff

C19: perhaps back slang for fan, short for fanny

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012