spiffy

/ˈspɪfi/

spiffy · adj — dapper; fine or neat, especially in style of clothing or other appearance.

Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, spiffy ranks #2,505 of 43,201 for Qualifying.

spiffy is pronounced /ˈspɪfi/.

Etymology

Unknown. Attested in print from 1852 (see quotations below). Compare the noun spiff, attested from 1859, as well as spiffing (1872) and spiffed (1881), suggesting participle forms of a related verb. Compare also spiv (“a smartly-dressed criminal”), attested from the 20th century.

adj

Dapper; fine or neat, especially in style of clothing or other appearance.

noun

A dapper person.
A spring-wire collar stay, worn by men.e.g.“The only neat thing about him was his collar. It was held down by a Spiffy wire stay.” — 1975, Irvin Faust, A Star in the Family, page 60:

Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Words closest in meaning

By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.

spiffingly 57% match — In a spiffing manner; wonderfully, marvellously. vs spiffy →
stickpin 56% match — An ornamented pin used to secure a necktie's end flat against the shirt, a tie tack. vs spiffy →
spang 55% match — A shiny ornament or object; a spangle vs spiffy →
spencer 55% match — A short double-breasted men's overcoat worn in the 18th and 19th centuries. vs spiffy →
becollared 54% match — wearing a collar, or describing a shirt with a collar vs spiffy →
spivish 53% match — Having the behaviour and appearance of a spiv. vs spiffy →
sparkily 53% match — In a sparky manner. vs spiffy →
spangly 53% match — Decorated with spangles; sparkly. vs spiffy →