noun
General Slang
Faff
/fæf/ · noun · informal
A pointless hassle, or the act of fussing about and getting nowhere.
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Definitions
1
An overly fiddly or convoluted process.
“The visa application was a right faff.”
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2
As a verb, to waste time fussing or dithering instead of getting on with it.
“Stop faffing about and let's go.”
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3
A bother or hassle, especially one that feels disproportionate to the result.
“Parking in town is such a faff.”
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Faff In A Sentence
Honestly the whole returns process was such a faff, never again.
We faffed around for an hour and missed the train.
Too much faff — I'll just order a takeaway.
Origin & Usage
From dialectal English 'faff' meaning to blow in gusts, later 'to fuss ineffectually.' Common across the UK and especially associated with mild, everyday exasperation.
People Also Ask
What does faff mean in British slang?
It means a hassle or unnecessary fuss — both the bother itself ('what a faff') and the act of dithering ('stop faffing about').
Is faff a rude word?
No, it's completely clean and very common in everyday British speech.
What's the difference between faff and hassle?
They're close, but faff leans more toward fiddly, time-wasting fussing, while hassle can also imply conflict or trouble.
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