duff

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈdəf 

1

: a boiled or steamed pudding often containing dried fruit

2

: the partly decayed organic matter on the forest floor

3

: fine coal : slack

duff

2 of 3

noun (2)

: buttocks

get off your duff

duff

3 of 3

adjective

British

: inferior, worthless

Synonyms of duff

Noun (2)

• bum
• seat
• cheeks
• tail
• rump
• bottom

Examples of duff in a Sentence

Noun (2)

I've been sitting on my duff all day

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The oval leaves of wintergreen catch your eye with their waxy shine, emerging out of the duff. — Literary Hub, 2 June 2025

Be sure to also scour leafy duff, moss, tree roots, and other low-lying areas. — Matthew Every, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2025

And as many as 40% prefer sitting on their duff to exercising. — Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025

Hilary Duff is a duff-initely sad about her relationship with sister Haylie. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

English dialect, alteration of dough

Noun (2)

origin unknown

Adjective

duff, noun, something worthless, from duff entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1724, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun (2)

circa 1837, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1935, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for duff

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

Kids Definition

duff

noun

ˈdəf

: the partly decayed plant and animal matter on the floor of a forest