Quick answer
Naff means tacky, uncool, cheap-looking, or embarrassingly unfashionable. It is usually pronounced NAF, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Naff
Naff describes someone or something that is tacky, uncool, cheap-looking, or embarrassingly unfashionable. It belongs to regional and dialect oddities and works best in playful writing, lively dialogue, and moments when plain wording feels too flat. It still feels usable today, especially when you want a word with more character than the plainest alternative.
At a glance
regionaldialectbritish-english
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
If something is naff, it is tacky, uncool, cheap-looking, or embarrassingly unfashionable. The word usually adds a stronger tone than a simpler adjective, which is why it suits vivid writing so well.
Why this word feels absurd
Naff feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Naff is generally traced to origin uncertain. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Naff is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
Example sentences
- The review called the minister’s reply positively naff.
- One naff remark was enough to sour the entire meeting.
- The novel introduces a naff uncle who complains before breakfast.
- His naff tone made the ordinary objection sound much worse than it was.
- She likes the word because even the insult feels slightly theatrical when it is naff.
When should you use this word?
Use naff when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in playful writing, dialogue, and places where tone matters.
Similar words
bairn, bampot, blether, braw, chinwag
Opposite or contrasting words
plain speech, everyday wording, straightforward language
Common questions
- What does naff mean? tacky, uncool, cheap-looking, or embarrassingly unfashionable.
- How do you pronounce naff? It is commonly pronounced NAF.
- Is naff still used today? Naff is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
- When should you use naff? Use naff when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in playful writing, dialogue, and places where tone matters.
- What words are similar to naff? Similar words include bairn, bampot, blether, and braw.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.