cuff

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈkəf 

1

: something (such as a part of a sleeve or glove) encircling the wrist

2

: the turned-back hem of a trouser leg

3

a

: handcuff

—usually used in plural

b

: a usually wide metal band worn as a bracelet

4

: an inflatable band that is wrapped around an extremity to control the flow of blood through the part when recording blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer

cuffless

ˈkəf-ləs 

adjective

see also:

off the cuff on the cuff

cuff

2 of 4

verb (1)

cuffed; cuffing; cuffs

transitive verb

1

: to furnish with a cuff

2

: handcuff

cuff

3 of 4

verb (2)

cuffed; cuffing; cuffs

transitive verb

: to strike especially with or as if with the palm of the hand : buffet

intransitive verb

: fight, scuffle

cuff

4 of 4

noun (2)

: a blow with the hand especially when open : slap

Synonyms of cuff

Noun (1)

• swipe
• slap
• punch
• blow
• stroke
• thump
• thud
• knock
• pound
• whack
• hit
• clip
• poke
• smack
• lick
• sock
• spank
• belt
• hook
• slam
• bang
• beat
• welt
• knee

Noun (2)

• bracelet
• handcuff(s)
• chain

Examples of cuff in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the mama cat would give her kittens a cuff with a paw whenever they played too rough

Noun (2)

the policeman snapped the cuffs on and led the prisoner away to the car

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

How to Monitor Your Blood Pressure Blood pressure is measured using a cuff called a sphygmomanometer. —Craig O. Weber, Verywell Health, 11 June 2026

The company’s signature Western shirt was designed with snap buttons, smile or sawtooth pockets and navy cuff-tags (trademarked in 1985, when Levi Strauss held the only other label-positioning trademark). —Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 8 June 2026

Verb

He was also cuffed inside his Bronx home in 2024 after punching a family member in the face and choking them. —Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 16 June 2026

The officers cuffed the survivors with plastic restraints, placed hoods on their heads and demanded that no one speak, according to the fishermen. —Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English coffe, cuffe mitten

Verb (2)

perhaps from obsolete English, glove, from Middle English

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1522, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1693, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb (2)

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (2)

1570, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cuff

• barrel cuff
• cuff link
• flex-cuff
• French cuff
• off the cuff
• on the cuff
• rotator cuff

Rhymes for cuff

• buff
• duff
• fluff
• gruff
• hough
• huff
• luff
• muff
• puff
• rough
• ruff
• scruff

Kids Definition

cuff

1 of 3 noun

ˈkəf 

1

: a part of a sleeve or glove that goes around the wrist

2

: the turned-back hem of a trouser leg

3

: a band that is capable of being inflated and is wrapped around an arm or leg to control the flow of blood through the part when measuring blood pressure

cuff

2 of 3 verb

: to strike with or as if with the palm of the hand

cuff

3 of 3 noun

: a blow with the hand especially when open : slap

Medical Definition

cuff

noun

ˈkəf 

1

: an inflatable band that is wrapped around an extremity to control the flow of blood through the part when recording blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer

2

: an anatomical structure shaped like a cuff

especially : rotator cuff

repair of complete shoulder cuff avulsion

—Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology