Stuffy often suggests discomfort or an urge to leave a poorly ventilated area. The conference hall was so stuffy I needed to step outside for air.
Pro Tip 2/3
Subjective Perception
Stuffy does not strictly measure air quality; it can also reflect a personal feeling of suffocation. Even with the window open, she found the room stuffy.
Pro Tip 3/3
Figurative Use
Stuffy can be used metaphorically to suggest a place is dull or uninspiring. The museum felt stuffy and old, in serious need of an update.