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)

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

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

This black turtleneck sweater is designed in a soft cotton and modal blend and features ribbed trim at the collar, cuffs, and hem. —Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025

The moose-and-pine-tree fair isle pattern is designed on the same fit as the brand’s crewneck sweater, and the soft cashmere fabric is ribbed at the neck, hem, and cuffs for a pop of texture. —Staff Author, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025

Verb

This Tankaneo version is gorgeous, with a dramatic lapel, cuffed sleeves, and a long belt that’s perfect for cinching. —Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025

Federal agents descend on NYC in immigration raid Masked agents on foot cuffed people Tuesday afternoon along Canal Street, a popular Manhattan tourist hub in the Chinatown neighborhood. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025

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

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