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
Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
This one's got it all: friendship, romance, motherhood and survival, perfect for historical fiction buffs.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 6 June 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
Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2025
The upcoming update will enhance the assault class, along with buffing every weapon in the game.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buff
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Noun
Thankfully for film buffs, there are plenty of open-air cinemas that pop up throughout Istanbul come summertime.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
This one's got it all: friendship, romance, motherhood and survival, perfect for historical fiction buffs.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 6 June 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
The resort’s original building—with its signature bright red crown most Southern Californians have seen in pictures or spotted from the I-5—has a 137-year legacy that shines brighter now that it has been scrubbed and buffed to the tune of $550 million.
—Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2025
The upcoming update will enhance the assault class, along with buffing every weapon in the game.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 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 5 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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