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)
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
Chris Willman, Variety, 10 July 2025
While the city has always been a draw for history buffs, academics, and those doing a fall foliage tour, the capital city is also home to some of the top hotels on the East Coast.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024
But the magic of Christmas is found in the unexplained, not in watching a buff Santa rappelling into all the world’s chimneys.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 13 Nov. 2024
ArsTechnica, 2 July 2025
And so, Flash Counter now doing damage counts as weapon damage that will trigger Bolt, Bolt which is also buffed to do more damage this season through an artifact mod.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buff
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Noun
Film buffs are anticipating your Hollywood Bowl show on the 15th.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 10 July 2025
While the city has always been a draw for history buffs, academics, and those doing a fall foliage tour, the capital city is also home to some of the top hotels on the East Coast.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
Adjective
The Chanel Le Vernis Ballerina shade is an elevated take on a basic buff manicure — providing a glossy sheen that straddles the line between sophisticated and lighthearted.
—Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024
But the magic of Christmas is found in the unexplained, not in watching a buff Santa rappelling into all the world’s chimneys.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
However, more research would be needed to ensure that wouldn't homogenize community notes, buffing them out to the point that no one reads them.
—ArsTechnica, 2 July 2025
And so, Flash Counter now doing damage counts as weapon damage that will trigger Bolt, Bolt which is also buffed to do more damage this season through an artifact mod.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buff
Cite this Entry
“Buff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buff. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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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