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
Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
The bottom line The Zip is not going to appeal to seasoned projector buffs spoiled by super-bright 4K picture quality and immersive Dolby Audio.
—Paul Ridden
may 09, New Atlas, 9 May 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
Craig Kellogg Ashok Sinha, New York Times, 16 May 2025
An innovative cream-to-powder formula, this offers excellent pigment, but finishes down into a super-fine texture that diffuses into skin—especially when buffed in with a domed, medium density brush like Chanel’s N°107.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for buff
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Calling all film buffs, the Design Museum is set to open the first major exhibition dedicated to Wes Anderson’s work this November.
—Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
The bottom line The Zip is not going to appeal to seasoned projector buffs spoiled by super-bright 4K picture quality and immersive Dolby Audio.
—Paul Ridden
may 09, New Atlas, 9 May 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
Original marble mantelpieces are buffed to a high shine, and two Venetian glass chandeliers predate Nickey Kehoe.
—Craig Kellogg Ashok Sinha, New York Times, 16 May 2025
An innovative cream-to-powder formula, this offers excellent pigment, but finishes down into a super-fine texture that diffuses into skin—especially when buffed in with a domed, medium density brush like Chanel’s N°107.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 12 May 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 20 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share