jiffy

noun

jif·​fy ˈji-fē 

plural jiffies

informal

: a very short period of time : moment, instant sense 1

ready in a jiffy

Their troubles were all over in a jiffy.

—Roald Dahl

A small restaurant offering good Vietnamese food in a jiffy.

—New Times (Phoenix, Arizona)

Synonyms

• beat
• eyeblink
• flash
• heartbeat
• instant
• jiff
• minute
• moment
• nanosecond
• New York minute
• second
• shake
• split second
• trice
• twinkle
• twinkling
• wink

Examples of jiffy in a Sentence

I'll be there in a jiffy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Here, a range of cozy options that ship out in a jiffy via Prime delivery, with the option to tack on a duvet cover separately. —Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 7 Dec. 2024

End your relaxed evening by hitting up upscale sports bar Upper Deck Ale & Sports Grill, a popular spot that features a relaxed outdoor bar where fancy (and affordable) martinis are mixed in a jiffy. —Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024

In fact, come fall, airlines, hotels and credit card companies are eager to woo new business after the summer rush, offering special offers and promotions that can refill your loyalty program account in a jiffy. —Ramsey Qubein, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Sep. 2023

Cut up carrots, onions, garlic and more in a jiffy, or use it to make your own salsa or purees for baby. —Liz Kadar, Redbook, 6 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1779, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

jiffy

noun

jif·​fy ˈjif-ē 

plural jiffies

informal

: moment sense 1, instant

in a jiffy