1

buff

noun \ ˈbəf \

|Updated on: 20 Aug 2018

Examples: buff in a Sentence

Definition of buff

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

See buff defined for kids

Examples of buff in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of buff from the Web

For hardcore fire buffs, there was nothing wrong with the old Los Angeles County Fire Museum.

— mark yost, WSJ, "A Museum to Spark New Interest," 11 July 2018
Of course, most local film buffs are familiar with the Enzian Theater in Maitland (1300 S. Orlando Ave.

— trevor fraser, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Wanna catch a flick?," 19 June 2018
The legendary writer/producer/director and classic film buff has not been shy in citing his influences for that movie and the franchise that followed.

— john monaghan, Detroit Free Press, "Sci-fi classics invade the DIA for film series tied to 'Star Wars' exhibit," 7 June 2018
Still, even this film buff sees advances coming that will make digital even more powerful, one day to supplant the 70mm as the ideal film gauge for modern movies.

— joe pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "There Are Secrets in the Texas Theatre," 25 May 2018
Movie-making royalty huddle for Cannes Film Festival Studio bigwigs, Hollywood stars and ordinary film buffs are flocking to the French Riviera on Tuesday for the opening of the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival, which runs through May 19.

— editors, USA TODAY, "Iran nuclear deal, Cannes Film Festival, Google I/O conference: 5 things to know Tuesday," 8 May 2018
This weekend, the Ambler Theater will offer classic film buffs and curious binge-watchers the opportunity to experience the joys of celluloid at the first 35mm Film Festival.

— shaun brady, Philly.com, "Ambler Theater's new festival offers something rare for moviegoers: Actual film," 11 Apr. 2018
Offering plush leather chairs and even cocktails for sale with your popcorn, movie theaters are evolving to lure film buffs.

— alexander coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "What should replace Macy's downtown?," 20 Mar. 2018
That is, if temple history buffs can raise $500,000 to bring this different kind of phantasm completely into the light.

— maria l. la ganga, idahostatesman, "What’s behind ’60s-era paneling at El Korah Shrine? A ballroom’s worth of ’20s art.," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'buff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of buff

Middle French buffle wild ox, from Old Italian bufalo

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1570

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

buff Synonyms

Synonyms

addict, aficionado (also afficionado), bug, devotee, enthusiast, fan, fanatic, fancier, fiend, fool, freak, habitué (also habitue), head, hound, junkie (also junky), lover, maniac, maven (also mavin), nut, sucker;

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

belittler, carper, critic, detractor;

Related Words

admirer, amateur, collector, connoisseur, dilettante;

authority, expert;

adherent, convert, cultist, disciple, follower, hanger-on, votary;

advocate, apostle, backer, champion, evangelist, exponent, friend, patron, promoter, proponent, supporter;

partisan (also partizan), zealot;

booster, rooter, well-wisher;

Other Color Terms

argentine, cerise, cerulean, cyan, ocher, perse, puce, taupe, vermilion

2

buff

adjective

Definition of buff

1 : of the color buff

2 or buffed : having a physique enhanced by bodybuilding exercises

See buff defined for English-language learners

Examples of buff in a Sentence

He's at the gym every day trying to get buff.
the buff body of an athlete

Recent Examples of buff from the Web

Many animals compensate for puny muscles with speed, but muscles—even in the buffest bodybuilder—can only contract so fast.

— National Geographic, "Watch Spider Jaws Move as Quickly as World's Fastest Runner," 7 Apr. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'buff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of buff

1746

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Color Terms

argentine, cerise, cerulean, cyan, ocher, perse, puce, taupe, vermilion

3

buff

verb

Definition of buff

buffed; buffing; buffs

transitive verb

1 : polish, shine

waxed and buffed the floor

2 : to give a velvety surface to (leather)

See buff defined for English-language learners

Examples of buff in a Sentence

The floors are waxed and buffed every year.
She is going to the salon to get her nails buffed.

Recent Examples of buff from the Web

Learning how to wax and buff your car properly can save you a bunch of money over time.

— ben murphy, Popular Mechanics, "How to Wax Your Car," 6 Feb. 2017
The other person suggested the damage could be buffed out, and asked if Lewis had been killed on impact.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "After killing black Leesville man in crash, white 18-year-old called him racial slur, police say," 3 June 2018
To achieve the 19-year-old starlet’s look, Kennedy began by sketching the shape of the eye with the coppery-brown colored ChanelPrecision Eye Definer in Brun-Cuivre, then buffing it out.

— lesley mckenzie, The Hollywood Reporter, "Amandla Stenberg’s MTV Awards Makeup Paid Homage to an Eighties Illustrator," 18 June 2018
At stake: Billions of dollars in beach-buffing funds, not to mention the tourist dollars attracted to Florida’s golden coast.

— anne geggis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Widening beaches might bring more hazards, researchers say," 4 May 2018
More often, that A-list glow comes by way of body bronzers — plus a 24/7 glam squad that can rub and buff them to perfection.

— refinery29.com, "I Tried $292 Worth Of Body Bronzers — & Didn't Ruin All My Clothes," 29 May 2018
The star sprayed a small amount of the product on a paper towel and buffed at the lines.

— jillian ruffo, PEOPLE.com, "Ashley Graham Uses Windex to Fix Her Spray Tan Streaks," 29 May 2018
The win buys Steve Bieser’s team additional time to buff up its resume, which isn’t good enough to safely get into the NCAA Tournament.

— alex schiffer, kansascity, "Mizzou Monday: A Jontay Porter return? Jordan Barnett in the NBA and more | The Kansas City Star," 21 May 2018
Oribe dry texturizing spray, $48; birchbox.com For Polished, Glowy Skin This natural product is a gentle exfoliator, which buffs skin to be the perfect canvas for any makeup look.

— alex apatoff, PEOPLE.com, "How to Get Meghan Markle's Glowy Bridal Beauty Look," 19 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'buff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of buff

1838

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

buff Synonyms

Synonyms

burnish, dress, furbish, gloss, grind, polish, rub, shine, smooth;

Near Antonyms

rough (up), roughen, ruffle, scuff (up);

Related Words

coat, glaze, japan, lacquer, varnish;

face, finish, veneer;

file, rasp, sand, sandblast, sandpaper, scour, scrape, scrub;

bob, bone, lap;

BUFF Defined for English Language Learners

buff

adjective

Definition of buff for English Language Learners

: having a strong, muscular body or form

buff

verb

Definition of buff for English Language Learners

: to make (a surface) smooth and shiny by rubbing it

BUFF Defined for Kids

1

buff

noun \ ˈbəf \

Definition of buff for Students

1 : a pale orange yellow

2 : a stick or wheel with a soft surface for applying polish

3 : ³fan a music buff

2

buff

verb

Definition of buff for Students

buffed; buffing

: to polish with or as if with a buff

Learn More about buff

See words that rhyme with buff Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for buff Spanish Central: Translation of buff Nglish: Translation of buff for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of buff for Arabic speakers

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