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 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

see also:

off the cuff on the cuff shoot one's cuffs

cuff

2 of 4

verb (1)

cuffed; cuffing; cuffs

transitive verb

1

: to furnish with a cuff

cuffed the pants

2

: handcuff

cuffed their wrists

3

slang : to commit to a romantic relationship with (someone) : to enter into a monogamous relationship with (someone)

This woman cleaned my whole house … I'm finna cuff her …

—@FreedomWhipzCeo, on X, formerly Twitter

… she's attracted to men that won't be a simp for her but those men also won't cuff her

—@SlapsandSlams, on X, formerly Twitter

Note: Sense 3 of cuff originated in African American English and was popularized by rap and hip-hop music. It has since become widespread.

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

Synonyms of cuff

Noun (1)

• swipe
• slap
• punch
• blow
• stroke
• thump
• thud
• knock
• pound
• whack
• hit
• clip
• poke
• smack
• lick
• sock
• spank
• belt
• hook
• slam
• bang
• beat
• welt
• knee

Noun (2)

• bracelet
• handcuff(s)
• chain

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

The jacket comes in 10 different fall-appropriate colors, each with a contrasting plaid lining that peeks out when the cuff is turned up. — Kate Donovan, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2026

This is also a fun way to add a small pop of color peeking out from underneath a crewneck sweater or from the cuffs of a cardigan. — Abby Hepworth, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2026

Verb

This includes the James Loafer, designed with a slipper-like fit, and the Wells Shearling Cuff Boot, made with flexible leather that allows the wearer to style the shaft up or cuffed at any height. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 9 Nov. 2026

They’re cuffed at the hem for an elevated-yet-laid-back look. — Anna Traver, InStyle, 7 Nov. 2026

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 2

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
• off-the-cuff
• on the cuff
• rotator cuff

Rhymes for cuff

• buff
• duff
• fluff
• gruff
• hough
• huff
• luff
• muff
• puff
• rough
• ruff
• scruff

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