cuff

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈkəf 

1

: something (such as a part of a sleeve or glove) encircling the wrist

2

: the turned-back hem of a trouser leg

3

a

: handcuff

—usually used in plural

b

: a usually wide metal band worn as a bracelet

4

: an inflatable band that is wrapped around an extremity to control the flow of blood through the part when recording blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer

cuffless

ˈkəf-ləs 

adjective

cuff

2 of 4

verb (1)

cuffed; cuffing; cuffs

transitive verb

1

: to furnish with a cuff

2

: handcuff

cuff

3 of 4

verb (2)

cuffed; cuffing; cuffs

transitive verb

: to strike especially with or as if with the palm of the hand : buffet

intransitive verb

: fight, scuffle

cuff

4 of 4

noun (2)

: a blow with the hand especially when open : slap

Phrases

off the cuff

: without preparation : ad lib

speaking off the cuff

on the cuff

: on credit

transacting business on the cuff

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• bang
• bash
• bat
• beat
• belt
• biff
• blow
• bop
• box
• buffet
• bust
• chop
• clap
• clip
• clout
• crack
• dab
• douse [British]
• fillip
• hack
• haymaker
• hit
• hook
• knock
• larrup [dialect]
• lash
• lick
• pelt
• pick
• plump
• poke
• pound
• punch
• rap
• slam
• slap
• slug
• smack
• smash
• sock
• spank
• stinger
• stripe
• stroke
• swat
• swipe
• switch
• thud
• thump
• thwack
• wallop
• welt
• whack
• wham
• whop
• whap

Noun (2)

• band
• bind
• bond
• bracelet
• chain
• fetter
• handcuff(s)
• irons
• ligature
• manacle(s)
• shackle

Examples of cuff in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the mama cat would give her kittens a cuff with a paw whenever they played too rough

Noun (2)

the policeman snapped the cuffs on and led the prisoner away to the car

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Gold buttons were fastened to the cuffs of the blazer, which Berry used as inspiration for the rest of her accessories. —Julia Teti, WWD, 16 Oct. 2024

The online-only brand quickly gained an ardent following for its fresh take on shirting: a juxtaposition of traditional men’s tailoring with a decidedly feminine perspective that results in button-front styles with details such as cocktail cuffs, cutaway collars, and puffed sleeves. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2024

Verb

After a minute of struggling on the ground, which included a dozen closed-fist strikes and four deployments of the Taser, Harris and Sue manage to cuff McAlpin. —Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 12 Oct. 2024

Body camera footage of the arrest viewed by PEOPLE shows a brief standoff before deputies pulled South out of his vehicle and cuffed him on the ground. —Liam Quinn, People.com, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English coffe, cuffe mitten

Verb (2)

perhaps from obsolete English, glove, from Middle English

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1522, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1693, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (2)

1570, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cuff

• barrel cuff
• cuff link
• flex-cuff
• French cuff
• rotator cuff

Kids Definition

cuff

1 of 3 noun

ˈkəf 

1

: a part of a sleeve or glove that goes around the wrist

2

: the turned-back hem of a trouser leg

3

: a band that is capable of being inflated and is wrapped around an arm or leg to control the flow of blood through the part when measuring blood pressure

cuff

2 of 3 verb

: to strike with or as if with the palm of the hand

cuff

3 of 3 noun

: a blow with the hand especially when open : slap

Medical Definition

cuff

noun

ˈkəf 

1

: an inflatable band that is wrapped around an extremity to control the flow of blood through the part when recording blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer

2

: an anatomical structure shaped like a cuff

especially : rotator cuff

repair of complete shoulder cuff avulsion

—Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology