Meaning & use
a Jiffy bag
Last updated
UK/ə ˈdʒɪfi bæɡ/
US/ə ˈdʒɪfi bæɡ/
Meaning
nouncountableBritishtrademark
A padded envelope, usually lined with bubble wrap, used for mailing small items that need protection.
Grammar: Countable: 'a Jiffy bag', 'two Jiffy bags'.
Patterns
- put something in a Jiffy bag
- send something in a Jiffy bag
- a Jiffy bag of something
I put the earrings in a Jiffy bag and posted them.
The books arrived in a Jiffy bag, so they were not damaged.
Can you send it in a Jiffy bag to protect the screen?
Word forms
| plural | Jiffy bags |
|---|
Common combinations
- in a Jiffy bag
- The CD was sent in a Jiffy bag.
- padded Jiffy bag
- Use a padded Jiffy bag for fragile items.
- Jiffy bag size
- What Jiffy bag size do I need for this book?
- seal a Jiffy bag
- Seal the Jiffy bag with tape before mailing.
Synonyms and how they differ
- padded envelope
- The general term used in both British and American English; 'Jiffy bag' is a brand name.
- bubble mailer
- Common in American English; it usually has a bubble-wrap lining, like a Jiffy bag.
Word family
- Jiffy proper noun
- The trademark name of the company that makes these envelopes.
Commonly confused: a Jiffy bag or jiffy?
a Jiffy bag vs jiffy
As a common noun, 'jiffy' means a very short time, as in 'in a jiffy'. 'Jiffy bag' is the envelope.
Practice
What is a Jiffy bag used for?
Choose one answer.
A Jiffy bag is a padded envelope for mailing. It is not for heavy shopping or food storage.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a Jiffy bag”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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