1
: a garment (such as a uniform) made of buff leather
2
: the state of being nude
sunbathing in the buff
3
a
: a moderate orange yellow
b
: a light to moderate yellow
4
: a device having a soft absorbent surface (as of cloth) by which polishing material is applied
5
[earlier buff an enthusiast about going to fires; perhaps from the buff overcoats worn by volunteer firefighters in New York City about 1820]
: fan, enthusiast
1
: of the color buff
2
or buffed
: having a physique enhanced by bodybuilding exercises
buffed; buffing; buffs
2
: to give a velvety surface to (leather)
Synonyms
Examples of buff in a Sentence
Noun
he's such a film buff that he owns over 3,000 movies
protected by a fully enclosed backyard, the couple would frequently sunbathe in the buff
Adjective
He's at the gym every day trying to get buff.
the buff body of an athlete
Verb
The floors are waxed and buffed every year.
She is going to the salon to get her nails buffed.
Recent Examples on the Web
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2024
The collection was catalogued then exhibited in 2009, to an enthusiastic crowd of local history buffs and true crime aficionados.
—Marianne Mather, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2024
Callie Holtermann, New York Times, 19 May 2024
Spora grew out of Alchemist’s Copenhagen test kitchen, where chefs still shape and puff and buff dishes during the first part of each night’s meal.
—Charlotte Lytton, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024
Angella D’avignon, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2024
Be sure to use sandpaper between 180 and 220 grit, as anything lower will leave scratches that may be visible through the paint and anything higher will buff the surface rather than etch it.
—Helen Carefoot, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for buff 
Noun
Acuna and fellow aviation buffs are holding a gathering at noon May 20 at Phil’s BBQ in Santee to collect stories from folks who worked for Pacific Southwest Airlines.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2024
The collection was catalogued then exhibited in 2009, to an enthusiastic crowd of local history buffs and true crime aficionados.
—Marianne Mather, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2024
Adjective
Young shoppers are taking cues from influencers like Jeremy Fragrance, a buff German man with 8.8 million followers on the platform.
—Callie Holtermann, New York Times, 19 May 2024
Spora grew out of Alchemist’s Copenhagen test kitchen, where chefs still shape and puff and buff dishes during the first part of each night’s meal.
—Charlotte Lytton, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024
Verb
Advertisement The next day, participants buffed their objects and applied chemical solvents to create patinas and finishes before heading back to the city.
—Angella D’avignon, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2024
Be sure to use sandpaper between 180 and 220 grit, as anything lower will leave scratches that may be visible through the paint and anything higher will buff the surface rather than etch it.
—Helen Carefoot, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for buff
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'buff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near buff
Cite this Entry
“Buff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buff. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
buff
1 of 3 noun1
: an orange yellow
2
: a device with a soft absorbent surface (as of cloth) for applying polishing material
3
: fan entry 3, enthusiast
a tennis buff
buff
2 of 3 adjective
: of the color buff
buff
3 of 3 verb
: to polish with or as if with a buff
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