cuff

1 of 4

noun (1)

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 adjective

cuff

2 of 4

verb (1)

cuffed; cuffing; cuffs

transitive verb

1
: to furnish with a cuff
2

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

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

Examples of cuff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This option from Abercrombie, which comes in sizes 23 to 37 and extra-short to long lengths, enhances the Curve Love High-Rise ’90s silhouette that shoppers already know and love with a pair of thick cuffs. Averi Baudler, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024 Made of waterproof nylon, the rain jacket features a hood and two elastic wrist cuffs to help keep out any moisture. Maya Polton, Parents, 14 Mar. 2024 Elsa Peretti Bone Cuff In the 1970s, the talented jewelry designer Elsa Peretti crafted the viral bone cuff. Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 Her version of luxury womenswear looks playful with 3D fuzzy tops, a silver floor-length puff dress, and collared shirts with exaggerated arm cuffs. Essence, 22 Feb. 2024 Such mix-ups are common and embarrassing among those who speak off the cuff, but their significance in evaluating a candidate’s health is uncertain. Lawrence K. Altman, STAT, 16 Feb. 2024 The subtly oversized silhouette comes in sizes S–XXL, and it’s accented with a V-neckline and long bell sleeves with elastic cuffs. Jamie Allison Sanders, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 In addition to the lined hood, the cuffs have a thumb hole to keep your child's hands warm when outside. Casey Clark, Parents, 5 Mar. 2024 These include studying the effects of microgravity and UV radiation on plants, using stem cells to create models to study degenerative disease and testing whether wearing pressure cuffs on the legs could prevent fluid shifts and reduce health problems in astronauts. Russell Lewis, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024
Verb
Arrested in Miami Rocha, who was cuffed and wearing a khaki detention uniform, is the former U.S. ambassador to Bolivia. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 29 Feb. 2024 The Oscar winner opted for a three-piece suit, wearing a plunging gray vest, sans shirt, which showed off her décolleté; cuffed cigarette pants; and a blazer. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2024 The body camera footage then shows Gilliam being led to a patrol car, hands cuffed behind her back. Colleen Slevin The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 6 Feb. 2024 After capturing the man, officers cuffed his hands behind his back and shackled his legs, the indictment said. Cassidy Jensen, Baltimore Sun, 16 Feb. 2024 This essay is a pitch-perfect example of letting the details speak for themselves: Palestinian men and boys between the ages of 12 and 70 are stripped, cuffed, blindfolded and then loaded onto the backs of trucks to be taken for interrogation. Seyward Darby, Longreads, 8 Feb. 2024 Video shot by Hollywood Reporter writer Chris Gardner showed authorities walking the 48-year-old performer through the stadium's hallways with his hands cuffed behind his back. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 6 Feb. 2024 Sacramento County District Attorney's Office/PRA Request California Highway Patrol officers cuffed the driver, who appeared to be intoxicated. Natalie Morales, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2024 Sasha Cooke, who plays his wife, is nearby in a blue and white tunic and jeans, cuffed mid-calf. Ellise Pierce, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cuff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cuff was in 1522

Dictionary Entries Near cuff

Cite this Entry

“Cuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cuff. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cuff

1 of 3 noun
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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on cuff

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