bluff

¹bluff

adjective \ˈbləf\

Definition of BLUFF

1

a : having a broad flattened front

b : rising steeply with a broad flat or rounded front

2

: good-naturedly frank and outspoken

— bluff·ly adverb

— bluff·ness noun

Examples of BLUFF

1. <he's a bluff but good-hearted teacher>

Origin of BLUFF

obsolete Dutch blaf flat; akin to Middle Low German blaff smooth

First Known Use: 1627

Related to BLUFF

Synonyms

abrupt, blunt, brusque (also brusk), crusty, curt, downright, short, short-spoken, snippy, unceremonious

Antonyms

circuitous, mealymouthed

Related Words

gruff, rough, snappish; candid, direct, forthright, foursquare, frank, free-spoken, open, outspoken, plain, plainspoken, point-blank, straightforward, straight-out; artless, discourteous, disrespectful, impertinent, impolite, inconsiderate, insensitive, rude, tactless, undiplomatic; brief, closemouthed, laconic, reserved, reticent, terse, tight-lipped; earnest, honest, sincere; coarse, crass, crude, low, uncouth, vulgar

Near Antonyms

civil, considerate, courteous, diplomatic, gracious, polite, politic, smooth, suave, tactful; loquacious, talkative, voluble; long-winded, prolix, verbose; courtly, cultivated, gallant, genteel, polished, refined

Synonym Discussion of BLUFF

bluff, blunt, brusque, curt, crusty, gruff mean abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner. bluff connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality <a bluff manner>. blunt suggests directness of expression in disregard of others' feelings <a blunt appraisal>. brusque applies to a sharpness or ungraciousness <a brusque response>. curt implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness <a curt command>. crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness <a crusty exterior>. gruff suggests a hoarse or husky speech which may imply bad temper but more often implies embarrassment or shyness <puts on a gruff pose>.

Rhymes with BLUFF

buff, chough, chuff, cuff, duff, fluff, gruff, guff, huff, luff, muff, puff, rough, ruff, scruff, scuff, slough, snuff, sough, stuff, tough, tuff

²bluff

noun

Definition of BLUFF

: a high steep bank : cliff

First Known Use of BLUFF

1666

Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale

³bluff

verb

Definition of BLUFF

transitive verb

1

a : to deter or frighten by pretense or a mere show of strength

b : deceive

c : feign <the catcher bluffed a throw to first>

2

: to deceive (an opponent) in cards by a bold bet on an inferior hand

intransitive verb

: to bluff someone : act deceptively

— bluff·er noun

Examples of BLUFF

1. She says someone else has made her a higher offer, but I think she's bluffing.
2. Don't listen to his threats—he's just bluffing you.
3. I bluffed my way through the interview.

Origin of BLUFF

probably from Dutch bluffen to boast, play a kind of card game

First Known Use: 1791

Related to BLUFF

Synonyms

bamboozle, beguile, deceive, buffalo, burn, catch, con, cozen, delude, dupe, fake out, fool, gaff, gammon, gull, have, have on [chiefly British], hoax, hoodwink, hornswoggle, humbug, juggle, misguide, misinform, mislead, snooker, snow, spoof, string along, sucker, suck in, take in, trick

Antonyms

undeceive

Related Words

kid, put on, tease; bleed, cheat, chisel, defraud, diddle, euchre, flam, fleece, gyp, hustle, mulct, rook, shortchange, skin, squeeze, stick, sting, swindle

Near Antonyms

debunk, expose, reveal, show up, uncloak, uncover, unmask; disclose, divulge, tell, unveil; disabuse, disenchant, disillusion

⁴bluff

noun

Definition of BLUFF

1

a : an act or instance of bluffing

b : the practice of bluffing

2

: one who bluffs

First Known Use of BLUFF

1845

Bluff

geographical name \ˈbləf\

Definition of BLUFF

town S New Zealand; port for Invercargill pop 2720