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
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 17 Aug. 2025
From clothing and jewelry to home decor, Elvira remains an alternative pin-up, popular with movie buffs and goth culture vultures alike.
—Lina Lecaro, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2025
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
As Ibelin, his buff World of Warcraft avatar named after Orlando Bloom’s character in the Ridley Scott epic Kingdom of Heaven, Steen had romances and regularly doled out advice to his pals.
—Matthew Jacobs, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2025
Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Polish the sink and fixtures: Take a small amount of stainless steel polish (again, Bar Keepers Friend is a go-to), and use a paper towel or cloth to buff it into the sink and fixtures.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buff
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Avon, however, clearly needed one, and longtime theater buff Joel Samberg was happy to oblige.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 17 Aug. 2025
From clothing and jewelry to home decor, Elvira remains an alternative pin-up, popular with movie buffs and goth culture vultures alike.
—Lina Lecaro, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
If that is the case, then fans will get to hear far more of Berry as the violent and buff villain from Batman's Rogues Gallery.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
As Ibelin, his buff World of Warcraft avatar named after Orlando Bloom’s character in the Ridley Scott epic Kingdom of Heaven, Steen had romances and regularly doled out advice to his pals.
—Matthew Jacobs, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2025
Verb
Original price: $8.99 Tree Hut shea sugar body scrubs use real sugar to gently buff away dry skin while shea butter and a blend of natural oils – including avocado and sweet almond – deeply moisturize.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Polish the sink and fixtures: Take a small amount of stainless steel polish (again, Bar Keepers Friend is a go-to), and use a paper towel or cloth to buff it into the sink and fixtures.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 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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