tiff

1 of 2

noun

ˈtif 

: a petty quarrel

tiff

2 of 2

verb

tiffed; tiffing; tiffs

intransitive verb

: to have a petty quarrel

Synonyms

Noun

• altercation
• argle-bargle [chiefly British]
• argument
• argy-bargy [chiefly British]
• battle royal
• bicker
• brawl
• contretemps
• controversy
• cross fire
• disagreement
• dispute
• donnybrook
• falling-out
• fight
• hassle
• imbroglio
• kickup
• misunderstanding
• quarrel
• rhubarb
• row
• scrap
• set-to
• spat
• squabble
• wrangle

Verb

• altercate
• argue
• argufy
• bicker
• brabble
• brawl
• controvert
• dispute
• fall out
• fight
• hassle
• jar
• quarrel
• quibble
• row
• scrap
• spat
• squabble
• wrangle

Examples of tiff in a Sentence

Noun

got into a little tiff about what color sheets to buy for their bed

Verb

like any couple, they occasionally tiff, but it's never anything serious

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Back in 2019, Trump’s call caused a brief diplomatic tiff with Denmark, under whose sovereignty the vast island falls. —Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024

Iowa State Cyclones athletics director Jamie Pollard and SMU Mustangs athletics director Rick Hart got into a tiff on social media following the penultimate rankings release. —Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 4 Dec. 2024

The near-daily tiff in my household is between my two teen daughters and who can get to their favorite Lululemon leggings and belt bag first. —Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 2 Dec. 2024

Controversial fighter jet sparks online tiff between Elon Musk, Arizona congressman Bargaining chip or devastating blow? —Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1754, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1700, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tiff

noun

ˈtif

: a minor quarrel