sniffy

comparative sniffier · superlative sniffiest

1. figurativelyDisdainful; haughty.

   some regard Hanks with a sniffy attitude, seeing his middlebrow Hollywood fare as unfashionable (yes) and reactionary (no).

   2021 February 9, Christina Newland, “Is Tom Hanks part of a dying breed of genuine movie stars?”, in BBC

   1 more example

   If the monarch thought his sniffy letter would put Harry and Meghan at a disadvantage, he doesn’t understand how the celebrity world works[.]

   2026 September 11, Marina Hyde, “Memo to King Charles: you can’t stop the Sussexes’ reality show bandwagon. You only spice up the script”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

2. Characterised by sniffing.

   a sniffy cold that turned into a sore throat

   Synonyms: sniffly