SPIFF is simply a variant spelling of SPIF, but the meaning is the same. The spelling “SPIFF” has gained popularity in some industries (especially in retail and tech), but SPIF remains the more correct, formal acronym since it represents Sales Performance Incentive Fund. A spiff, or spiv, is slang for an immediate bonus for a sale.

Understanding the Context

Typically, spiffs are paid, either by a manufacturer or employer, directly to a salesperson for selling a specific product. Smarten up and spiff up both mean to improve in appearance often by making more neat or stylish ("the tailor smartened up the suit with minor alterations"; "he needed some time to spiff himself up for the party"). SPIFF definition: to make spiffy (usually followed byup ). See examples of spiff used in a sentence.

Key Insights

Adjective spiff (comparative more spiff, superlative most spiff) (archaic or regional, Yorkshire) Neat, smartly dressed, attractive. SPIF vs. SPIFF: Which Sales Term Is Correct and What’s the Difference? SPIFF definition: an amount of money paid by an employer or the manufacturer of a product to a sales person for…. Learn more.

Final Thoughts

spiff in British English (spɪf ) verb (transitive) slang to make smart or spruce up